Senegal’s National Assembly late on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bill doubling the maximum prison term for same-sex sexual acts to 10 years and criminalising any efforts to promote homosexuality.
The law – passed by 135 votes to zero, with three abstentions – fulfils a campaign promise of the government that came to power in 2024, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. It now awaits Faye’s signature.
Senegal’s penal code already carried an article, last amended in 1966, imposing up to five years’ jail and fines of up to 1,500,000 CFA francs ($2,700) for “acts against nature”.
The new version doubles the maximum term and allows for fines of up to 10 million CFA francs.
ANTI-LGBT LAWS TIGHTENED ACROSS WEST AFRICA
It says a judge may not grant a suspended sentence, or use their discretion to reduce a prison term below the minimum.
It specifies that acts against nature relate to homosexuality, bisexuality, “transsexuality”, zoophilia and necrophilia.
Imam Babacar Sylla, leader of And Samm Jikko Yi, a network of Islamic and civil society organizations, urged Faye to sign the bill into law as soon as possible.
“The longer it takes, the more complicated it will be. And these people, whom I consider a public danger, will continue to escape,” he said.
In the weeks leading up to Wednesday’s vote, supporters of the bill, including lawmakers from the ruling Pastef party, organised demonstrations in Dakar in which participants shouted “No to homosexuality!” and held signs with rainbows crossed out.
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GOOD MOVE … IM TIRED OF ALL THIS “BULL” “ ISH “ .. if you believe in same sex marriage and I don’t.. why is it a problem for me to say that …
Yes, it is pure filth to have all of this foolishness forced on you to accept. Here in farin at a hospital I work there are big ole man with deep voices, wa dress up in dress and want to be addressed as she, tarl not me u ah man and that’s that. Those people have psychological issues
Well well well…And people still calling Trump facist..and those Black Senegaleses are what then?
Let me see if i see any movement in Western Countries of LGBTQ for Senegal..Hipocresy at 100%.. Claiming humans rights and freedom in Western countries but looking to other side when they see this. So humans rights is not for all at the end.
While I agree that zoophilia and necrophilia are serious issues that need to be addressed, I strongly disagree with criminalizing consensual same-sex relations between adults. This law will only lead to further marginalization and harm to an already vulnerable community. Let’s focus on protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation.
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