Senegal’s government has moved to tighten the country’s laws against homosexuality, with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko introducing legislation that could see offenders face up to 10 years in prison, double the current maximum penalty.
The bill, which was sent to parliament on Tuesday following cabinet approval last week, seeks to amend existing provisions criminalising same-sex relations in the West African nation.
If passed, it would prescribe prison sentences ranging from five to 10 years for what the legislation describes as “acts against nature,” a significant increase from the current one- to five-year terms.
Addressing lawmakers during the presentation, Sonko made clear that harsher penalties would apply in cases involving minors.
“If an act is committed with a minor, it will attract the maximum penalty,” the prime minister stated.
The proposed legislation comes amid a wave of arrests in recent months over alleged same-sex relationships, which are already prohibited under Senegal’s Penal Code.
