Spain funds Senegal with 180 million euros despite tougher penalties against homosexuals

The Government of Pedro Sánchez was once again at the center of the controversy. Spain will allocate more than 180 million euros to Senegal in a new cooperation agreement, despite the fact that that country has just tightened its laws against homosexuality

.

The decision reopens the debate on the coherence of Spanish foreign policy.

A million-dollar agreement in the midst of controversy The

Executive signed a new Country Partnership Framework for the period 2026-2030. The amount far exceeds 128 million euros in the previous agreement.

The agreement was sealed during the official visit of the Senegalese president, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, to Spain.

The Foreign Ministry, headed by José Manuel Albares, justified the increase because of interest in strengthening the bilateral relationship.

Senegal toughens penalties against homosexuals

The controversy arises because of the context. Just weeks before the agreement, Senegal approved a reform that doubles prison sentences for homosexuality, with sentences of up to ten

years.

Economic sanctions were also increased.

This creates a strong contradiction with the discourse of the Spanish Government, which usually presents itself as a defender of human rights.

Criticism for incoherence in foreign policy The

sending of funds to a country that toughens laws against individual liberties

ignited criticism.

Analysts point to a disconnect between the Government's narrative and its concrete decisions.

While promoting progressive agendas at the domestic level, the Executive finances regimes that are moving in the opposite direction.

Diplomacy, interests and double standards

The Government maintains that Senegal is a strategic partner in Africa. Cooperation aims at economic development and regional stability.

However, the decision raises questions about a possible double standard in terms of rights.

Diplomatic priority seems to prevail over the principles that the Executive itself claims to defend.

An official visit with a low profile

During the visit, the Senegalese president was greeted with a more discreet schedule than other

State visits.

A lunch was held at the Royal Palace, without a formal ceremony.

Sánchez will also hold a bilateral meeting to deepen cooperation.

A debate that returns to the scene

This is not the first time that Spanish foreign policy has generated controversy over this type of decision.

The case brings back to the table a key question: to what extent are principles negotiable against strategic interests?

Public funds under the spotlight The

central axis of the debate revolves around the use of public resources

.

More than 180 million euros from Spanish taxpayers will be allocated to a country with policies that conflict with the values that the Government claims to promote.

Coherence under discussion

The episode exposes an increasingly evident tension

.

On the one hand, a discourse focused on rights. On the other hand, decisions that seem to contradict him

.

At that crossroads, Sanchez's foreign policy is once again under question.