Senegal’s National Assembly late on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a ‌bill doubling the maximum prison term for same-s3x s3xual acts to 10 years and criminalising any efforts to promote homos3xuality.

The law – passed by 135 votes to zero, with three abstentions – fulfils a campaign promise of the government that ​came to power in 2024, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister ​Ousmane Sonko. It now awaits Faye’s signature.

Senegal’s penal code already carried an article, last ⁠amended in 1966, imposing up to five years’ jail and fines of up to 1,500,000 CFA ​francs ($2,700) for “acts against nature”.

The new version doubles the maximum term and allows for fines of up to 10 million ​CFA francs.

It says a judge may not grant a suspended sentence, or use their discretion to reduce a prison term below the minimum.

It specifies that acts against nature relate to homosexuality, bis3xuality, “transs3xuality”, zoophilia and ​necrophilia.

Those found guilty of promoting or financing such acts also face prison time.

Imam Babacar Sylla, ​leader of And Samm Jikko Yi, a network of Islamic and civil society organizations, urged Faye to sign the bill into law as soon ‌as ⁠possible.

“The longer it takes, the more complicated it will be. And these people, whom I consider a public danger, will continue to escape,” he said.

In the weeks leading up to Wednesday’s vote, supporters of the bill, including lawmakers from the ruling Pastef party, organised demonstrations in Dakar in which participants shouted “No ​to homos3xuality!” and held ​signs with rainbows crossed ⁠out.

The period has also been marked by a surge in arrests of men on suspicion of “acts against nature” as well as, in some cases, “voluntary ​transmission” of HIV – a crime carrying up to 10 years in prison.

​Some 27 men ⁠were arrested between February 9 and 24, according to the International Federation for Human Rights.

Last year, Burkina Faso passed a law criminalizing same-s3x sexual relations for the first time, imposing prison terms of up ⁠to ​five years.

Lawmakers in Ghana are considering raising the maximum penalty ​for same-s3x sexual acts from three years to five and imposing jail time for the “wilful promotion, sponsorship or support of LGBTQ+ activities.

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The United Kingdom has announced that there will be temporary airspace restrictions and heightened security measures in Windsor ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit scheduled for March 18 and 19.

It was  learnt that the Thames Valley Police, in a statement on Wednesday, disclosed that the security measures are part of a comprehensive security operation being carried out in collaboration with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household and other partners to ensure the safety of dignitaries, spectators and the general public during Tinubu’s visit.

According to the Chief Superintendent, Adrian Hall, of Thames Valley Police’s Joint Operations Unit, the airspace restrictions form only one aspect of the extensive security arrangements for the visit.

He said Windsor Castle already has a permanent airspace restriction throughout the year, but the measure will be extended during Tinubu’s visit to enhance security.

Hall noted that the restriction will be in place from 7:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and warned that any violation of the airspace restrictions would be treated as a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order.

He also urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities.

He said, “The air restrictions are just one part of our robust security operation for the state visit of Nigerian President Tinubu next week, with many measures you will see and others you will not.

“As a force, we have a vast amount of experience in policing Royal events in Windsor and significant planning, and preparation has gone into this event.

“We will ensure everyone attending the state visit, including dignitaries and spectators, as well as the public, are kept safe to enjoy the historic occasion.

“We will be taking a strong stance in enforcing the restrictions; anyone who breaches them will be committing a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could be arrested.

“We will also be deploying numerous police officers to Windsor with specialist capabilities including our search teams, Mounted Section, Roads Policing and armed units, while our neighbourhood and Project Servator resources will also be on the ground engaging with the public.

“The public plays a critical role to support us so we encourage them to report any suspicious activity or anything that does not seem quite right by calling 101 or speaking to one of our officers. If there is an immediate threat or emergency, then call 999.”

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A report has claimed that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have established new hideouts in the Tuba settlement, near the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Jere Local Council of Borno State.

Local sources and Jere farmers, told The Guardian that about 200 motorcycles were observed at a fortress used by the terrorists in Northern parts of Borno State.

The terrorists have targeted the NNPCL exploration site and neighbouring settlements such as Dusuman, Ngom, Jabarman, GongulongLawanti, Koshebe and the outskirts of Muna Garage, 20 kilometres east of Maiduguri, The Guardian learnt.

Other targets include Madinatu, the Maiduguri cattle market and motorists and commuters travelling on the Maiduguri-Monguno and Mafa roads.

Reports indicate that the two terror groups send small attacking detachments on motorcycles towards Ngom community along the Maiduguri-Dikwa road, crossing over to the 40km Maiduguri Mafa road, and eventually reaching Konduga Local Council on the southern fringe of Sambisa Forest, a main hideout for insurgents in the North-East.

In addition to establishing a fortress and escape routes, a 65-year-old hunter named KontoAliyu expressed concern about the security threats posed by the terrorists’ presence in the council areas.

He urged the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj-Gen. AbdulsalamAbubakar, to destroy the hideouts in Jere, to weaken their operational capabilities in attacking Army bases and surrounding communities.

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