Overview
- Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko introduced a draft law this week that would raise the minimum sentence for same-sex relations from one to five years and allow penalties of up to ten years.
- The bill also proposes three to seven years in prison for anyone who “promotes” homosexuality while keeping “unnatural acts” as offenses rather than elevating them to crimes.
- Local media report roughly 20 to 30 recent arrests across the country, including public figures such as TikToker Saliou Mbaye, with cases widely circulated on social media.
- A citizen initiative led by Tidiane Dia has staged public mobilization calling for tougher measures, citing protection of children, claims of intentional HIV transmission, and the defense of cultural and religious values.
- Human-rights groups warn of growing fear in the LGBT community, with the NGO Stop Homophobie reporting new requests for help to leave Senegal, and analysts noting similar legislative drives in Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Uganda.