Bid to toughen anti-gay laws fails in Senegal

Macky Sall

Senegal's former President Macky Sall.

Photo credit: File

What you need to know:

  • Under existing law in the West African country, homosexuality is already punishable by up to five years in jail.
  • Eleven MPs initiated the draft law, including at least one belonging to the ruling party, asserting that they had the support of highly influential religious groups.
  • Homosexuality is widely considered deviant in Senegal, which is 95 percent Muslim.