In Senegal, where same-sex relationships are already criminalized, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has proposed a new law that would double the penalties for such relations. Currently, individuals found guilty of engaging in homosexual acts face sentences ranging from one to five years in prison. The new legislation seeks to impose sentences of five to ten years, reflecting a broader trend towards stricter enforcement of anti-LGBTQ laws.

This legislative proposal is positioned to include harsher punishments not only for consensual same-sex relationships but also for sexual abuse involving minors, with maximum penalties being enforced for the latter. Recent police actions have led to high-profile arrests, including those of celebrities and a well-known journalist accused of violating existing LGBTQ laws, which has heightened the visibility and intensity of the debate surrounding this issue in the country.

Human rights organizations have condemned the proposed legislation and the recent arrests, arguing that these measures infringe upon basic human rights and exacerbate the stigma against LGBTQ individuals in Senegal. In contrast, religious groups have rallied in support of the Prime Minister's initiative, advocating for stricter laws against same-sex relationships to align with their moral beliefs. The timing of the parliamentary vote on this controversial proposal remains uncertain, leaving the future of LGBTQ rights in Senegal in a precarious state.