Since 2020, Senegal has been grappling with the effectiveness of its repression of homosexuality. Abuses against LGBT+ individuals are rampant in this West African country, where consensual same-sex relationships can result in prison sentences of up to five years.
The situation escalated in June following new Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s claim that homosexuality is tolerated in Senegal. This comment led to further homophobia and confusion, with MP Cheikh Abdou Bara Dolly Mbacké, an ally of Sonko, proposing a new anti-homosexuality bill aimed at intensifying the already harsh penalties.
Cheikh Abdou Bara Dolly Mbacké, an anti-LGBTQ+ MP from Senegal, suggested provisions similar to a failed initiative from January 2022. The proposed bill would increase sentences to 10-15 years for “offences of bisexuality (including homosexuality), transsexuality, necrophilia, and zoophilia” and impose fines of up to 5 million CFA francs ($13,490 NZD). For context, Senegal’s average monthly income was $263 NZD in 2017.
Under Senegalese law (Paragraph 3 of Article 319 of Law No. 65-60 of 21 July 1965), engaging in an “unnatural act with a person of the same sex” can result in one to five years in prison and fines ranging from $100,000 to $1,500,000 CFA francs ($270 to $3,900 NZD).
This legislative push in Senegal occurs as 64 nations worldwide continue criminalising homosexuality. Senegal now aligns with other sub-Saharan African countries considering stricter anti-homosexuality measures. Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of Congo are drafting similar legislation, while Ghana recently passed a law awaiting approval from its Supreme Court and president. Uganda also enacted a harsher anti-homosexuality law in 2023.
In contrast, Namibia was recently decriminalised, reflecting a different trend in southern Africa. As of mid-June, 30 of Africa’s 54 countries had anti-homosexuality laws, while 24 did not.
In addition to Namibia, other African nations that have decriminalised homosexuality since 2012 include Gabon, Mauritius, Angola, Lesotho, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Botswana, and Mozambique. However, both Ghana and Uganda, where same-sex activity was already illegal, implemented stricter laws against homosexuality in 2023 and 2024.