Senegal’s prime minister rejects western pressure on homosexuality law

The Senegalese government has doubled down on its controversial stance regarding same-sex relations, with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko vehemently rejecting what he describes as Western attempts to impose homosexuality on the rest of the world.

During a heated address to lawmakers on May 22, Sonko condemned what he termed “a tyranny” by Western nations, accusing them of using their global influence to push for the normalization of LGBTQ+ rights across Africa and beyond. The remarks came in response to growing international criticism following the passage of a new law that significantly increases penalties for homosexuality in Senegal.

Enacted in early March and signed into law by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on March 31, the legislation now imposes prison sentences ranging from five to ten years for individuals convicted of same-sex relations. The move follows a surge in homophobic sentiment and multiple arrests tied to alleged homosexuality in the predominantly Muslim West African nation.

No moratorium on enforcement

Sonko firmly dismissed calls for a moratorium on the law’s implementation, which had been advocated by a coalition of over thirty African-origin figures in a mid-May op-ed published in a French newspaper. The group cited concerns over a “climate of fear, hatred, and violence” gripping Senegal since the law’s adoption.

“There will be no moratorium,” Sonko declared. “Some of our elites suffer from inferiority complexes.” He went on to assert that Senegal would not be lectured by foreign powers, particularly France, where same-sex relations are legal. “If they’ve chosen those practices, that’s their business,” he stated. “We have no lessons to receive from them—absolutely none.”

Sovereignty over Western influence

The Prime Minister emphasized that Senegal’s stance is not isolated, noting that no Asian, African, or Arab nation has criticized the law. He warned that if further strengthening of the legislation is required, the government would not hesitate to act. “The justice system must ensure its full, impartial, and rigorous application,” Sonko insisted, adding that the law’s primary objective is to curb the spread of homosexuality in the country.

Sonko’s defiant rhetoric underscores the deepening divide between Senegal’s conservative social values and Western-backed human rights advocacy, particularly on LGBTQ+ issues. The government’s uncompromising position reflects a broader trend in parts of Africa, where anti-homosexuality laws remain firmly entrenched despite international pressure.