The Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, has proposed a new law to increase punishment for same-sex relations, seeking at least 10 years prison terms for LGBT relationships.
Sonko sent the proposal to Senegal’s Parliament on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The proposal received cabinet approval last week.
It comes after series of arrests over alleged same-sex relationships.
LGBT relationships are already banned under Senegal law.In an address to lawmakers, Sonko says the bill would punish what it describes as “acts against nature” with prison sentences ranging from five to 10 years, compared with the current one- to five-year terms.
According to him, “If an act is committed with a minor, it will attract the maximum penalty.”
