Senegal adopts bill to toughen penalties for same-sex relations

 

As of February 19, 2026, the Senegalese government has formally adopted a draft bill that significantly toughens penalties for same-sex relations.

The bill was approved during a Council of Ministers meeting and now proceeds to the National Assembly for a final vote. Key features of the new legislation include:

Increased Penalties: The draft law seeks to increase existing prison sentences for what are legally termed "acts against nature". While current law carries a maximum of five years, previous proposals have suggested extending this to 10 or 15 years.

Clarification of Offenses: The bill provides a more explicit definition of "unnatural acts" to strengthen the legal framework against same-sex conduct.

Targeting Advocacy: The reform expands the scope of the law to criminalize the "glorification" and "financing" of such acts, effectively targeting LGBTQ+ advocacy and support groups.

Context of Crackdown: The adoption of this bill follows a recent wave of high-profile arrests, including the detention of 17 men—among them local celebrities and a journalist—for alleged same-sex relations.

This legislative move is widely supported by conservative religious groups, such as the And Samm Jikko Yi collective, which have long campaigned for stricter morality laws.

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have previously condemned such efforts, warning they exacerbate violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.

Senegal gained independence from France in 1960, formally breaking away from the short-lived Mali Federation on August 20, 1960.

While independence was finalized in August, Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4th, marking the 1960 signing of the transfer of power agreement with France. Léopold Sédar Senghor became the first president.