In Dakar, the capital of Senegal, LGBTQ+ individuals are increasingly living in fear as the government pushes to strengthen criminal penalties for same-sex relations, a move that has drawn international concern.
A young man, originally from Touba a city central to Senegal’s Sufi Muslim tradition described living in hiding after being rejected by his family and seeing police question a close friend. He now resides discreetly with another friend who is unaware of his identity, highlighting the precarious position of LGBTQ+ people in the country.
Doubling Prison Sentences
Senegal already criminalises same-sex conduct under Article 319 of the penal code, a colonial-era law punishing “acts against nature.” Enforcement has historically been inconsistent, but momentum is growing to impose stricter penalties.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko proposed doubling the maximum prison sentence from five to ten years. The amendment passed Parliament on March 11 and now awaits the signature of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to become law.
Rising Arrests and Public Hostility
Since February, local media have reported dozens of arrests, including that of journalist Pape Biram Bigué Ndiaye, who was later released. Human Rights Watch has expressed concern over escalating anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and growing pressure on lawmakers to implement harsher penalties.
Public hostility has also intensified. In 2023, a mob in Kaolack exhumed and burned the body of a man believed to be gay, an incident widely shared on social media. In February, protests in Dakar framed homosexuality as a public health threat, spreading misinformation about HIV. Demonstrators were led by the group And Samm Djiko Yi, whose founder, Serigne Ababacar Mboup, claimed LGBTQ+ rights were incompatible with Senegalese traditions.
Limited Safe Spaces and Increasing Risks
Advocacy organisations report that the environment has grown increasingly hostile. Free Senegal, which helps LGBTQ+ individuals relocate, closed its safe house in Dakar in 2025 after concerns that neighbours could report residents to authorities. Political figures have been accused of amplifying anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, particularly during election periods.
Many individuals have fled the country to avoid persecution. One activist, who left Senegal in 2000 after backlash over a documentary on gay rights, now works from abroad to support vulnerable LGBTQ+ people. “I cannot return,” he said, noting years of threats and social rejection.
International Concern
Human rights groups warn that the proposed legislation, coupled with rising arrests and public hostility, places LGBTQ+ individuals in Senegal at significant risk. Observers note that without safeguards and protective measures, the amendments could exacerbate persecution, limit access to justice, and force more citizens into hiding or exile.
