On May 22nd, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko forcefully defended his government’s stance before lawmakers during the fifth session of current affairs questions since the Pastef took office.
Addressed about the recently enacted legislation that imposes harsher prison sentences for same-sex relations—following over a hundred arrests in three months and a May 18th plea from African intellectuals calling for a moratorium—Senko ruled out any suspension of the law.
Emphasizing the need to curb what he termed the ‘rampant spread of homosexuality,’ he demanded that the judiciary enforce the law ‘fully, impartially, and flawlessly,’ adding that authorities will not shield ‘big fish,’ alluding to recent arrests of figures connected to his inner circle.
Dismissing international backlash against the law, Sonko took direct aim at Western criticism, particularly from Paris, declaring that ‘there has been much posturing in foreign countries, notably in France.’
Accusing the West of attempting to impose homosexuality globally ‘through media domination,’ he declared, ‘If they choose these practices, that is their affair, but we will not accept lessons from them—absolutely not.’ He also warned that if necessary, the law would be further tightened, asserting, ‘If the law needs to be strengthened, it will be.’
