Senegal Raises Penalty for Same-Sex Acts to Ten Years

**TL;DR** Senegal doubled the prison sentence for same-sex acts to up to ten years after arresting 27 men in February. The law, signed by President Diomaye Faye on March 31, also imposes a fine of about 10 million FCFA.

## Context Senegal has earned global recognition for its HIV prevention campaigns, which have kept infection rates low despite regional challenges. The new legislation marks a stark shift, using the colonial‑era phrase “acts against nature” to target same-sex relations. Scholars point out that same-sex intimacy existed in pre‑colonial Wolof and Serer societies; the criminalizing statutes were imported by French administrators. Recent reports indicate the draft law drew inspiration from an American pro‑family advocacy group.

## Key Facts In February, police detained 27 men after accusing them of “acts against nature” and of deliberately spreading HIV. On March 11, the National Assembly voted to increase the maximum penalty for those offenses from five years to ten years in prison and to set a fine of 10 million FCFA, about €15,500. President Diomaye Faye signed the bill into law on March 31, completing the legislative process.

## What It Means The statute defines “acts against nature” to cover homosexuality, bisexuality, transsexuality, zoophilia and necrophilia, and it also bans any promotion or financing of such acts. Proponents claim the behavior is a Western import and argue the harsher penalties will protect public health by curbing HIV transmission. Independent health experts counter that criminalizing patients drives them away from testing and treatment, worsening outbreaks. The law could strain Senegal’s relationships with international donors who fund HIV programs, potentially jeopardizing grants that have supported the country’s acclaimed response. Domestic civil‑society groups have signaled they may contest the measure in constitutional courts, citing protections for privacy and non‑discrimination.

Watch for upcoming court challenges, statements from donor nations, and any shifts in public‑health outreach efforts as the law takes effect.