Ousmane Sonko condemns western influence on Senegal’s anti-homosexuality law

The Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has strongly defended the country’s recent legislation that toughens penalties for homosexuality, rejecting claims of undue Western pressure. Speaking before lawmakers on May 21, Sonko argued that Western nations are attempting to impose their cultural values on the rest of the world.

Government stands firm against international criticism

Senegal’s new law, signed into force by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on March 31, increases prison sentences for same-sex relations to up to ten years, up from the previous five. During his address, Sonko dismissed calls for a moratorium on enforcement, stressing that Senegal must uphold its own laws and cultural identity.

He argued that a small group of Western nations, despite representing a fraction of the world’s population, wield disproportionate influence through media control and economic leverage. « While we share the planet with eight billion people, a handful of Western nations—driven by their own agendas—seek to dictate moral standards globally », Sonko declared.

Deeply rooted cultural and religious significance

The debate over homosexuality in Senegal remains highly sensitive, intersecting with politics, religion, and social norms. Supporters of the law maintain that it aligns with Senegal’s Islamic values, while human rights advocates have raised concerns about its implications for personal freedoms.

The government, however, maintains that the legislation reflects national sovereignty and resistance to external interference. Senegal’s leadership has framed the issue as a matter of preserving cultural integrity in the face of perceived neo-colonial pressures.