Senegal journalist faces jail time for homosexuality

Tamsir Jupiter Ndiaye, an eminent journalist in Senegal, has been sentenced to six months in prison for committing acts of homosexuality.

The reporter was accused of attempted rape by another man, leading to his arrest.

Homosexuality is a criminal offence in Senegal, fetching between 1 and 5 years imprisonment or fines up to 1,500,000 francs ($2,500USD).

Ndiaye has already served prison time for prior convictions of homosexuality, sentenced in 2012 for and ordered to serve 4 years. He was released on parole in 2013.

During a recent visit to Africa, US President Barack Obama has urged African leaders to embrace equality and promote LGBT rights.

On the state of gay rights in Africa, Obama said that “when it comes to how the state treats people, how the law treats people, I believe that everybody has to be treated equally.”

Approximately two thirds of African countries deem homosexuality to be unlawful, with many countries still adapting laws to enforce harsher punishments.

OIP Staff