Senegal’s National Assembly late on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bill doubling the maximum prison term for same-s3x sexual acts to 10 years and criminalising any efforts to promote homosexuality
The law – passed by 135 votes to zero, with three abstentions – fulfils a campaign promise of the government that came to power in 2024, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. It now awaits Faye’s signature.
Senegal’s penal code already carried an article, last amended in 1966, imposing up to five years’ jail and fines of up to 1,500,000 CFA francs ($2,700) for “acts against nature”.
The new version doubles the maximum term and allows for fines of up to 10 million CFA francs.
It says a judge may not grant a suspended sentence, or use their discretion to reduce a prison term below the minimum.
It specifies that acts against nature relate to homosexuality, bisexuality, “transsexuality”, zoophilia and necrophilia.
Those found guilty of promoting or financing such acts also face prison time.
Imam Babacar Sylla, leader of And Samm Jikko Yi, a network of Islamic and civil society organizations, urged Faye to sign the bill into law as soon as possible.
“The longer it takes, the more complicated it will be. And these people, whom I consider a public danger, will continue to escape,” he said.
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