Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of Senegal has condemned what he describes as an attempt by Western nations to “impose homosexuality” worldwide. Speaking to lawmakers, he firmly rejected any possibility of a moratorium on the newly enforced law that doubles prison sentences for same-sex relationships, now punishable by five to ten years. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye signed the legislation into law on March 31, following its adoption in early March. The move comes amid rising homophobia and a series of arrests linked to alleged same-sex relationships in the predominantly Muslim West African nation.

“There is a form of tyranny at play,” Sonko declared. “The world has eight billion people, yet a small group in the West—where the debate remains unresolved—exploits its influence and media control to impose its views on the rest of the globe. On what grounds?” He criticized foreign reactions, particularly from France, stating, “If they have chosen these practices, that is their concern. We do not need—or want—their lessons.”

No moratorium, no compromise

Contrasting Western demands for a moratorium, Sonko asserted, “No Asian, African, or Arab nation has criticized us. If this law needs to be strengthened further, it will be.” He urged the judiciary to enforce the legislation “fully, impartially, and rigorously,” emphasizing that its primary goal is to “put an end to the spread of homosexuality.”

The prime minister also dismissed a mid-May petition by a collective of about thirty African-origin personalities, published in a French newspaper, calling for a moratorium on the law’s application. Describing the signatories as part of “elites burdened by complexes,” Sonko stated, “There will be no moratorium.” The petition cited a climate of fear, hatred, and violence allegedly intensified since the law’s passage.

Same-sex relationships remain criminalized in Senegal, where the ruling coalition has long championed tougher penalties as a politically resonant stance. The government’s unwavering stance underscores the deep societal divisions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in the country.