By Spy Uganda
Lawmakers in Senegal have overwhelmingly approved a controversial bill that significantly strengthens penalties for same-sex relations and criminalises the promotion of homosexuality.
The National Assembly voted 135 to zero in favour of the legislation, with three abstentions, marking a decisive move by the government led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The bill now awaits presidential assent to become law.
If signed, the new legislation will double the maximum prison sentence for same-sex sexual acts from five to 10 years. It also increases fines from 1.5 million CFA francs to as much as 10 million CFA francs (approximately $18,000), while removing judicial discretion to issue suspended sentences or reduce penalties below the minimum threshold.
The revised law expands the scope of “acts against nature,” explicitly including homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgender identity, alongside other offences. It further introduces penalties for individuals found to be promoting or financing such acts.
Senegal’s existing penal code, last amended in 1966, already criminalised same-sex relations, but the new measures represent one of the most stringent legal frameworks on the issue in the region.
Supporters of the bill, including members of the ruling party, argue the changes reflect societal values and were a key campaign promise ahead of the 2024 elections. In recent weeks, demonstrations in Dakar saw participants voicing support for the legislation, with some calling for stricter enforcement of existing laws.
Among those backing the bill is Imam Babacar Sylla, a leader within the And Samm Jikko Yi movement, a coalition of Islamic and civil society organisations. He urged President Faye to sign the bill promptly, warning that delays could complicate its implementation.
“The longer it takes, the more complicated it will be,” he said, expressing concern about what he described as ongoing violations of societal norms.
The period leading up to the vote has also seen a rise in arrests linked to alleged “acts against nature.” According to the International Federation for Human Rights, at least 27 men were detained between February 9 and 24. Some cases also involved charges of “voluntary transmission” of HIV, which carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years under existing laws.
The development comes amid a broader regional trend. In 2023, Burkina Faso enacted legislation criminalising same-sex relations for the first time, with penalties of up to five years in prison.
