Featured: Macky Sall remains adamant on homosexuality

Audio 04:04

By: Catherine Potet

Publicity

" Nothing is moving!" Exclaims the 24-hour daily newspaper in Dakar. " President Macky Sall maintains his position, " the newspaper pointed out.

The issue of decriminalization of homosexuality was revived yesterday during the visit to Dakar of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, defender of the LGBT cause.

“ Everything was going so well, in the banquet hall of the Palace of the Republic , reports Enquête , another Senegalese daily newspaper. On both sides, between Macky Sall, and his host of the day, Justin Trudeau, we seemed to agree on all subjects. Or almost. Until the moment came the angry question : the rights of homosexuals. The discomfort then replaces the relaxed air among Senegalese officials. The atmosphere suddenly became very heavy. But unlike his ministers, President Macky Sall remained straight in his boots. Sometimes even sending an almost mocking laugh. First, it is the Canadian Prime Minister, great defender of gays, who launches first. He confided, from the outset, having "briefly discussed" the issue with his counterpart. "

Macky Sall then launches out in a long tirade, continues Investigation : “ The laws of our country obey realities which are the digest of our cultural values. They reflect our vision, our way of living and being. And these laws prohibit exhibition, relationships against nature. It has nothing to do with homophobia. "

What is more, adds the Senegalese president, “ we cannot say in Senegal that we must, tomorrow, legalize homosexuality; and that tomorrow is Gay Pride… It is not possible. Our society does not accept it. "

He said no again ...

Suddenly, " Macky resists international pressure ," exclaims Walf Daily . "He said no again. The head of state still stands up to the Western powers (…). "

Indeed, in 2013, recalls the newspaper, " the Senegalese head of state had served almost the same response to former US President Barack Obama. On a visit to Senegal, he then asked Macky Sall, as Trudeau did yesterday, to legalize homosexuality. Macky Sall replied: " Senegal is a tolerant country which does not discriminate in terms of treatment of rights. But we are not ready to decriminalize homosexuality. This is the option of Senegal for the moment. This does not mean that we are homophobic. But society has to absorb, take the time to deal with these issues without pressure. "

The limits of dialogue with the jihadists in Mali

Also on the front page, there are still a lot of reactions in Mali after the announcement by President IBK of the start of a dialogue with the jihadists…

The daily Malikilé , in particular, displayed its skepticism. Malikilé who understands that " according to certain sources, the return of the missions dispatched by Dioncounda Traoré is not encouraging insofar as (the jihadist leader) Amadou Koufa would require the unconditional application of sharia and the departure of all foreign troops from Mali as a prerequisite for any dialogue. This is an absolutely insurmountable bottleneck, exclaims the newspaper . We do not see what dialogue can be established on such a basis which calls into question the very foundations of the Republic of Mali. This determination to change the Basic Law of Mali is not new, points out Malikilé. It has been that of terrorists since 2012. The application of sharia in all its rigor is the goal sought by Iyad Ag Ghali and Amadou Koufa and we do not see what IBK has to negotiate in front of such a requirement. The head of the GSIM and the Katiba of Macina will be all the more demanding and uncompromising on the issue as they are in a position of strength in relation to the Malian state. In war, concludes Malikilé, it is always the weak party that seeks dialogue. And the weakest part in the conflict that bruises our hearts is the State of Mali. "

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