Lawmakers in Senegal have approved a bill that doubles the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations, increasing the punishment to up to 10 years behind bars.
The legislation was passed on Wednesday by the National Assembly of Senegal after several hours of debate. The bill now awaits the signature of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye before it becomes law.
Under the new measure, individuals convicted of same-sex relations—described in the law as “acts against nature”—face prison terms ranging from five to 10 years, compared with the previous penalty of one to five years.
The legislation also introduces criminal penalties for people accused of promoting or financing same-sex relationships, with offenders facing three to seven years in prison.
Reports indicate that dozens of arrests have already been made under Senegal’s anti-LGBTQ laws in recent weeks. In February, police arrested 12 men, including two local celebrities, marking the beginning of a series of detentions targeting suspected same-sex relations.
The bill was approved with 135 votes in favour, none opposed and three abstentions.
During the parliamentary debate, lawmaker Diaraye Ba declared that homosexuals would “no longer breathe” or have freedom of expression in the country, a statement that drew applause from some lawmakers.
The legislation provides tougher penalties where the act involves a minor and introduces significantly higher fines ranging from two million to 10 million CFA francs (about $3,500 to $17,600). Previously, fines ranged from 100,000 to 1.5 million CFA francs.
In addition, the law includes a clause that penalises individuals who accuse others of same-sex offences without proof.
The bill was presented to parliament by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who before assuming office in 2024 had promised to strengthen laws against same-sex relations. However, the new legislation maintains the offence’s classification as a misdemeanour, prompting criticism from opposition figures who say the government did not fully deliver on its earlier pledge.
Debates around LGBTQ issues remain highly sensitive in Senegal, where advocacy for gay rights is frequently criticised by religious groups and activists who argue that such campaigns attempt to impose foreign cultural values.
Across Africa, more than 30 countries have laws criminalising same-sex relations. Some nations, including Uganda, Mauritania, and Somalia—allow the death penalty under certain circumstances, while others such as Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, and Sierra Leone impose prison terms that can range from 10 years to life imprisonment.