Senegal Doubles Penalty for Same-Sex Relations to 10 Years in Prison

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has signed a law that doubles the maximum penalty for same-sex relations. Offenders now face up to 10 years in prison. The National Assembly passed the measure by an overwhelming majority on March 11, 2026, with 135 votes in favor, none against, and three abstentions.

The law increases the prison sentence for “acts against nature” (the term used in Senegalese law for same-sex relations) from one to five years to five to 10 years. Fines have also been raised from 100,000–1.5 million CFA francs to 2–10 million CFA francs ($3,500 to $17,600). The maximum penalty applies if a minor was involved in the relationship.

The document also introduces criminal liability for assisting and financing same-sex relations, with penalties of three to seven years in prison. At the same time, the law introduces penalties for those who accuse others of same-sex offenses without evidence.

Despite the tougher punishments, the new law, introduced by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, keeps same-sex relations classified as a “misdemeanor” rather than moving them into the more serious category of “crimes,” as Sonko had promised before his appointment in 2024.

The law was passed amid a wave of repression. According to Le Monde , dozens of men have been arrested in Senegal since February 2026. The arrests began with the detention of 12 people, including two local celebrities. Police often base arrests on denunciations and phone searches, and the names of those detained are published openly.

International human rights organizations criticized the new law. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the document was “deeply worrying” and “flies in the face of sacrosanct human rights.” UNAIDS noted that criminalization hinders access to medical care, including HIV-related services. The LGBT organization ILGA World urged the president not to sign the law, calling for “respect for personal freedom.”

Senegal is a Muslim-majority country where the defense of LGBT rights is often perceived by conservative and religious groups as the imposition of Western values. Same-sex relations are criminalized in at least 32 of 54 African countries.