DAKAR, SENEGAL — In a major legislative development on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko presented a draft bill to the National Assembly aimed at drastically increasing the legal penalties for same-sex relations. The proposed law, which seeks to amend the nation’s existing Penal Code, would see the current maximum sentence for "unnatural acts" double from five to ten years in prison.
Stiffening the Penalties Under the current Article 319.3 of the Senegalese Penal Code, anyone found guilty of committing an "unnatural act with an individual of the same sex" faces between one and five years of imprisonment. The new bill introduced by Sonko seeks to shift the minimum sentence to five years and the maximum to ten years.
Addressing the National Assembly, Sonko emphasized that the maximum sentence would be mandatory in cases involving minors. "If the act is committed with a minor, the maximum sentence will be imposed. The judge cannot grant a suspended sentence or reduce the imprisonment below the minimum term," Sonko stated. He also noted that fines for these offenses would see a substantial increase, potentially reaching up to 10 million CFA francs (approximately $18,000).
Criminalizing Advocacy and Support Beyond the acts themselves, the proposed legislation introduces a new criminal category: "promoting" or "advocating" for homosexuality. This provision targets individuals, organizations, and media outlets that voice support for LGBT+ rights. Those found guilty of such advocacy, whether through speech, writing, or financial contributions, could face between three and seven years in prison. Furthermore, individuals convicted under these new laws would be stripped of their civil rights for a period of ten years following their release.
Political and Cultural Motivations This legislative push is a fulfillment of a promise made by Sonko during his rise to power. He has consistently framed the repression of homosexuality as a defense of "Senegalese values" against what he terms "Western cultural imperialism." During his address, he accused foreign nations of attempting to impose their social norms on Senegal and cited the need to protect the country's social fabric.
The bill has received strong backing from conservative religious organizations within the country, such as the NGO Jamra, which has long campaigned for stricter morality laws. However, international human rights groups and local activists warn that the law will exacerbate an already dangerous environment for marginalized groups. Reports indicate that in the weeks leading up to this proposal, Senegalese police have already stepped up raids, with dozens of arrests reported in the suburbs of Dakar.
The National Assembly, currently dominated by Sonko’s PASTEF party, is expected to debate and vote on the bill in the coming weeks. If passed, Senegal will join other African nations like Uganda and Ghana in enacting some of the world's most stringent anti-LGBT+ legislation.
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