Senegal’s prime minister condemns western pressure over homosexuality laws

The Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has strongly criticised what he describes as Western ‘tyranny’ for attempting to impose homosexuality on the rest of the world, during a parliamentary address.

Speaking before lawmakers on May 22, Sonko rejected any moratorium on the recently enacted law that doubles penalties for same-sex relations, now punishable by five to ten years in prison. The legislation was passed in early March and signed into law by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on March 31.

In his remarks, the prime minister framed Western demands as an attempt to impose foreign cultural values on Senegal and other nations. “There is a form of tyranny at play here,” he stated. “With eight billion people on Earth, a small Western bloc—where the debate itself remains unresolved—attempts to impose its views using its media influence and economic leverage.”

Sonko criticised foreign reactions, particularly from France, where he claimed Senegal was being unfairly targeted for its stance. “If these nations have chosen such practices, that is their concern,” he said. “We will not accept lessons from them—absolutely not.”

The prime minister emphasised that no Asian, African or Arab nation had criticised Senegal over the law, reinforcing his rejection of Western interference. He added that if the legislation needed strengthening, it would be. “Justice must ensure its full, impartial and perfect application,” he insisted, “as the primary goal is to halt the spread of homosexuality.”

No moratorium on the law

Sonko also firmly dismissed calls for a moratorium on the law’s enforcement, following a mid-May open letter by a group of thirty African-origin public figures published in a French newspaper. The signatories cited a climate of fear, hatred and violence in Senegal since the law’s adoption.

“There will be no moratorium,” Sonko declared. “Some of our elites suffer from inferiority complexes.”

The prime minister’s stance reflects a long-standing political promise within his party, resonating with Senegal’s predominantly Muslim society where same-sex relations are widely considered a deviation.

Since the law’s passage, the country has witnessed a surge in homophobia and multiple arrests related to alleged homosexuality.