On Wednesday, Senegalese lawmakers approved a new bill that significantly escalates the penalties for same-sex relations, doubling the maximum prison sentence to ten years. The law also includes provisions criminalizing efforts to promote what the government describes as 'acts against nature,' which encompasses homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgender identities, alongside zoophilia and necrophilia. This legislation marks a significant step back in the protection of LGBTQ+ rights in Senegal and reflects broader trends of intensified anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in many regions.

The vote occurred with 135 members in favor, none against, and three abstentions, signaling substantial legislative backing for a measure that aligns with the campaign promises of the current government, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who took power in 2024. This renewed focus on punitive measures against LGBTQ+ individuals and communities indicates an attempt to consolidate political support among conservative constituents by appealing to traditional values.

Critics of the legislation have raised concerns about its vagueness and potential for misuse, as the previous provisions from 1966 were deemed insufficiently stringent. The new law is viewed as a reflection of societal attitudes that stigmatize and marginalize sexual minorities, severely undermining efforts toward advocating for human rights and equality in Senegal. The legislative movement suggests a broader challenge faced by LGBTQ+ groups in the region as they navigate a societal landscape increasingly hostile to their rights and existence.