Dakar’s Hard Line: The High Stakes of Senegal’s New Moral Code
Senegal has taken a decisive step to safeguard its cultural and religious identity. On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the National Assembly voted 135-0 to approve a landmark bill that significantly toughens the penalties for "acts against nature." This legislative victory fulfills a core campaign pledge made by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, aimed at shielding the nation from external social pressures. According to BBC News , the move enjoys massive support across the country's political and religious spectrum. New legislation has doubled the previous sentencing limits, with individuals now facing up to a decade in prison for same-sex activity What are the updated penalties under the 2026 law? The new legislation moves beyond the 1966 penal code by doubling the maximum prison sentence for same-sex acts to 10 years. The government argues that previous laws were too lenient to act as a proper deterrent. Additionally, financial penalties hav...