A protestor chants anti-gay slogans during a demonstration against homosexuality in Dakar, Senegal, Friday, March 6, 2026 -

AP Photo

By Africanews

with AFP

Last updated: 4 hours ago

Senegal

Persecuted for being gay and disowned by his family, Assane (not his real name) left Senegal seven months ago for France.

As Senegal was tightening anti-homosexuality laws, the pressure and stigma from his own family also became unbearable. Now he's seeking asylum in France.

"It’s been at most six or seven months since I left my country because of my sexual orientation, which my father had found out about," said Assane.

Senegal has enacted legislation doubling the maximum penalty for same-sex relations, making them punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The new law additionally penalises anyone who accuses another of same-sex offences "without proof". After debating for several hours, lawmakers approved the bill by a vote of 135 in favour, zero opposed and three abstentions on March 11.

Under the law, the maximum sentence will be handed down if the act was committed with a minor. Punishment will additionally include fines from two million to 10 million CFA francs ($3,500 to $17,600), compared to 100,000 to 1.5 million CFA francs previously.

According to media reports, dozens of men have been arrested under the anti-LGBTQ laws since February, when police detained 12 men, including two local celebrities, the start of a spate of detentions.

Man from Senegal seeks asylum as police target LGBT people

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