Senegal’s PM Sonko rejects western LGBTQ+ values amid new anti-homosexuality law

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has sharply criticized what he calls western ‘tyranny’ for attempting to force LGBTQ+ rights on the country, as the government moves forward with a stricter anti-homosexuality law.

In a fiery address to lawmakers this week, Sonko condemned the push by some Western nations to impose their cultural values on Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation in West Africa.

The new legislation, signed into law by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in late March, doubles the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations from one to five years, up to five to ten years.

Under the updated law, individuals found guilty of promoting or financing same-sex relationships could face three to seven years behind bars.

Sonko argued that the push for LGBTQ+ acceptance reflects a form of cultural imperialism by Western powers who use their economic and media influence to dictate norms globally.

‘There are eight billion people in the world, but a small group called the West—with its vast resources and control over media—wants to force this lifestyle on everyone else,’ he told lawmakers.

He insisted that Senegal will not bow to external pressure, declaring, ‘If they choose these practices, that is their concern, but we have no lessons to learn from them—none whatsoever.’

Sonko also highlighted that unlike Western critics, no Asian, African, or Arab nation has condemned Senegal over the law, underscoring what he sees as broader regional alignment.

He urged the judiciary to ensure the law is enforced ‘fully and without compromise,’ rejecting calls for a moratorium on its application.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid growing international criticism following the law’s passage, particularly from human rights groups and Western governments advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in Africa.

Before assuming office in 2024, Sonko had pledged to criminalize same-sex relations, shifting the offense from a minor misdemeanor to a more severe crime under Senegalese law.