DAKAR, Senegal — Lawmakers in Senegal have approved legislation that significantly increases prison penalties for same-sex relations, intensifying the country’s legal crackdown on LGBTQ individuals.
The bill, passed on Wednesday by the National Assembly of Senegal, raises the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations from five years to ten years.
The legislation now awaits the signature of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye before it becomes law.
The measure also introduces new criminal penalties for individuals accused of promoting, advocating or financially supporting same-sex relationships.
Under the revised law, those found guilty of engaging in what the legislation describes as “acts against nature” — a term commonly used in the country’s penal code to refer to same-sex relations — could face between five and ten years in prison.
Previously, the offence carried a sentence of one to five years.
The bill further stipulates prison terms of three to seven years for individuals convicted of advocating for same-sex relations.
After several hours of debate, lawmakers approved the measure by a vote of 135 in favour, with no votes against and three abstentions.
During the parliamentary session, legislator Diaraye Ba defended the proposal, declaring that homosexuality would no longer be tolerated in the country, remarks that were met with applause from some members.
The legislation also provides for tougher penalties if the alleged offence involves a minor, with courts expected to impose the maximum sentence in such cases.
In addition to jail terms, the bill raises financial penalties for those convicted. Fines could range from two million to ten million CFA francs ($3,500 to $17,600), compared with previous penalties of between 100,000 and 1.5 million CFA francs.
At the same time, the law introduces penalties for individuals who falsely accuse others of same-sex offences without evidence.
The vote comes amid a wave of arrests under the country’s anti-LGBTQ laws. Local media report that dozens of men have been detained since February, including 12 individuals arrested during a police operation that drew national attention.
Authorities have reportedly relied on accusations from members of the public and searches of mobile phones to identify suspects, with the names of those detained often made public.
The bill was presented to parliament by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who had previously pledged to strengthen laws against same-sex relations before taking office in 2024.
However, the legislation maintains the current legal classification of the offence as a misdemeanour rather than upgrading it to a more serious criminal category, prompting criticism from some opposition figures who say the government has not gone far enough.
In recent years, LGBTQ rights have become a deeply polarising issue in Senegal, where religious organisations and conservative groups have repeatedly staged demonstrations demanding stricter laws.
Activists say the recent arrests and inflammatory rhetoric on social media have increased fears among LGBTQ individuals, with online campaigns calling for suspected members of the community to be publicly exposed.
Senegal is among more than 30 African countries that criminalise same-sex relations. In some states, including Uganda, Mauritania, and Somalia, the law allows the death penalty for certain same-sex offences.
Other countries impose long prison terms ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, including Tanzania and Sierra Leone.
