Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has publicly affirmed the government’s resolve to enforce the newly amended law targeting homosexuality in the country.

During a parliamentary session on May 22, 2026, Sonko addressed deputies’ concerns regarding international backlash against the legislation, which significantly increases penalties for same-sex relations.

Sonko emphasized that Senegal, as a sovereign nation, has the right to protect its cultural and social values against practices deemed unacceptable by the majority of its people. “The Senegalese people are sovereign. Overwhelmingly, they reject certain practices being imposed on Senegal,” Sonko stated.

Confronting Western pressure on African values

In response to criticism from Western governments and some African activists, Sonko condemned what he described as “a form of Western tyranny.” He argued that while debates within Western societies remain unresolved, their influence over global media allows them to attempt imposing homosexuality worldwide.

“There are eight billion people in the world, yet a small Western elite—despite internal divisions—uses its economic and media power to force this agenda on the rest of the globe. On what grounds?” Sonko questioned.

He categorically dismissed any possibility of a moratorium on the law post-enactment, declaring, “This law will be enforced without exception.”

The National Assembly passed Law No. 2026-08 on March 27, 2026, amending Article 319 of the 1965 Penal Code to toughen penalties for “unnatural acts.” The updated legislation now explicitly defines such acts, increases prison sentences, and criminalizes advocacy and funding of these behaviors.

Under the new law, “any sexual act between individuals of the same sex” constitutes an unnatural act. Additionally, sexual acts involving a corpse or an animal are also classified as unnatural. Violators face 5 to 10 years in prison and fines ranging from 2 million to 10 million CFA francs, with additional penalties for cases involving rape or pedophilia.