Senegal becomes latest African country to toughen punishment for homosexual acts

Source: Associated Press

Senegal becomes latest African country to toughen punishment for homosexual acts

By BABACAR DIONE
Updated 2:51 PM EDT, March 12, 2026

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal ‘s parliament has approved a new bill that toughens punishment for homosexuality in the largely Muslim West African nation, the latest African country to impose harsh penalties against the LGBTQ+ community.

The new bill, which was introduced to parliament last month by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, describes homosexual acts as being “against nature.” It doubles the punishment for those convicted from prison sentences of one to five years to between five and 10 years.

Nearly all lawmakers voted in favor of the bill during Wednesday’s plenary, with no opposition and three abstentions. It needs presidential assent before becoming a law, with Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye widely expected to sign it.

In another change, the proposed law punishes what it calls the “promotion” or “financing” of homosexuality, an attempt to crack down on organizations that support sexual and gender minorities.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/senegal-homosexuality-law-tougher-punishment-e243a04cf4d1529b127492f5941247e4