The Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, has firmly rejected any possibility of a moratorium on the enforcement of laws criminalizing homosexuality. During a press conference in Dakar, he vowed to crack down on what he described as the «proliferation» of same-sex relations and assured that judicial authorities would pursue cases to their conclusion.

Sonko’s stance comes amid a recent wave of arrests, with over a hundred individuals detained in the past three months under accusations of «unnatural acts,» some of which include allegations of intentional HIV transmission. The developments have sparked controversy, particularly following a public appeal by African intellectuals last Sunday, May 18th, calling for a temporary halt to the law’s application.

A defiant stance against western influence

«We are not here to take lessons from anyone,» Sonko declared, sharply criticizing what he termed «the tyranny of the West.» He accused Western powers of attempting to impose their values through media control, framing the issue as an ideological battle against foreign interference.

Addressing broader economic concerns, Sonko acknowledged the country’s «challenging economic situation,» marked by a public debt exceeding 119% of GDP. He defended his administration’s recovery plan, highlighting improved tax collection as a key revenue driver.

Meanwhile, Senegal’s Finance Minister, Cheikh Diba, sought to reassure the public about debt management. «The debt situation is under control,» he stated, adding that negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would resume the week of June 8th. Diba expressed confidence that a new framework agreement would be finalized by June 30th, despite stalled discussions since October 2025 over whether debt restructuring was necessary.