The Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, has sharply criticized what he describes as Western attempts to impose LGBTQ+ values on African societies, framing the debate as a form of cultural domination rather than a human rights issue.
During a parliamentary address, Sonko condemned the imposition of foreign ideologies, stating that Senegal would not yield to external pressures regarding its stance on homosexuality. He argued that a small group of Western nations, despite representing a fraction of the global population, seeks to dictate moral and social standards to the rest of the world through media influence and economic leverage.
The Prime Minister’s remarks come in the wake of a newly enacted law that significantly increases penalties for same-sex relationships, a move that has drawn international criticism. The legislation, signed by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in late March, raises the maximum prison sentence for such acts from five years to a decade, while also introducing penalties of three to seven years for individuals or groups found to be promoting or financing LGBTQ+ activities.
Sonko dismissed the backlash from Western governments, particularly from France, asserting that Senegal has no interest in adopting such practices. He emphasized that the country would not entertain any discussions about a moratorium on the law’s enforcement, following a recent editorial in a French newspaper where 30 African-origin personalities called for its suspension.
The Prime Minister further claimed that no Asian, African, or Arab nation has publicly criticized Senegal’s position, reinforcing his argument that the debate is a Western-driven imposition rather than a universally shared concern. He urged Senegal’s judicial system to apply the legislation without exceptions, underscoring the government’s commitment to upholding traditional values.
This latest legal development marks a significant shift from the previous classification of same-sex relations as a minor offense, reflecting a broader trend in Senegal’s evolving legal landscape regarding LGBTQ+ issues.