Senegal’s National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko has fiercely defended the country’s controversial anti-homosexuality law, declaring that Senegal will not seek approval from Western nations over legislation reflecting its religious and cultural values.

“We do not justify the laws we pass to the West or to anyone else,” Sonko said during an exclusive interview with France 24 and RFI.

His remarks come months after Senegal adopted legislation doubling prison sentences for homosexuality, a move that drew condemnation from international human rights groups and Western governments.

Rejecting allegations of a crackdown on LGBTQ individuals, Sonko insisted there is “no hunting for homosexuals” in Senegal and argued that laws criminalising homosexuality have existed in the country for more than 30 years.

The former prime minister maintained that Senegal, as a sovereign nation, has the right to legislate according to the beliefs and values of its people.

“We are a country with religious beliefs and cultural convictions,” Sonko said. “We legislate sovereignly on what our society rejects.”

Sonko also dismissed foreign criticism of the law, saying Senegal would not allow external actors to dictate its social policies.

The comments are likely to reignite debate over LGBTQ rights in Senegal, where homosexuality remains widely opposed by religious leaders and much of the public, but where rights organisations have raised concerns over increasing arrests and tougher penalties under the new legislation.