Ousmane Sonko slams foreign interference in Senegal’s moral legislation
In a forceful parliamentary address, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has rejected growing international criticism of the country’s toughened penalties for same-sex relations. The prime minister framed the debate as an attempt by Western powers to impose values that contradict Senegal’s cultural and religious foundations.
During his speech to lawmakers, Sonko described the push for tolerance toward homosexuality as “a tyranny of the West”, arguing that foreign actors seek to reshape Senegal’s moral and legal landscape against the will of its people.
No compromise on the new legislation
The government’s stance remains firm: the recently amended law, which increases punishments for same-sex acts, will be applied without exception. Sonko emphasized that Senegal will not bow to external pressure, even as human rights organizations and Western governments have raised concerns over the legislation’s impact on civil liberties.
The prime minister’s remarks underscore a broader trend in West Africa, where leaders increasingly frame LGBTQ+ rights as a Western imposition rather than a universal human rights issue. For Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation, the issue intersects with deeply held religious and social values.
