Earlier this March, Sénégal passed a rigorous new law that effectively doubles the criminal penalties for homosexual relations, which are now punishable by five to ten years in prison. This legislation was officially signed into effect on March 31 by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Opposition to foreign disapproval

Speaking before the members of Parliament, Ousmane Sonko dismissed all international criticism, particularly targeting voices from France. He also firmly ruled out any possibility of a moratorium on the law’s implementation, despite a mid-May appeal from approximately thirty prominent African figures who expressed their concerns in a public forum.

These advocates had warned of a pervasive “climate of fear, hate, and violence” that has taken hold since the legislation was first approved.

“Putting an end to the ‘proliferation’ of homosexuality”

In contrast to these warnings, the head of the government instructed the judicial system to apply the law in a “total” and “flawless” manner, maintaining that the goal is to stop the spread of homosexuality within the country.

While this political stance is popular in Sénégal, it is simultaneously fueling deep anxiety. By further criminalizing the private lives of consenting adults, the government risks fostering an environment of stigmatization, public denunciations, and physical aggression. Even outside of Western ideological debates, the fundamental principles of human dignity and safety from violence remain essential concerns for many observers.