In February 2026, Senegal is poised to strengthen its laws against homosexual relations, proposing a bill to increase penalties for acts currently deemed "contrary to nature" and punishable by up to five years in prison. This move aligns with a broader trend across Africa, where criminalization of homosexuality is escalating, with countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda having tightened their legislation recently. The proposed Senegalese law also targets the "apology and financing" of such acts, reflecting a societal view that considers homosexuality deviant, alongside transsexuality and zoophilia. This legislative push occurs amidst reports of daily arrests of suspected homosexual individuals, fueled by a climate of fear and stigmatization, exacerbated by external influences from organizations promoting anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments.