In a recent development in Senegal, Matar Ndiaga Seck, a 51-year-old figure widely recognized as a political associate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC). The arrest follows a warrant issued by police authorities in Linguère, located in the Louga region of northern Senegal, amid an ongoing probe tied to the detention of at least twenty individuals in the Djoloff area.
At present, Senegalese authorities have not disclosed specific details regarding the allegations or the current status of the legal proceedings. The term « acts against nature » is legally defined under Article 319 of the Senegalese Penal Code, which explicitly criminalizes same-sex relations.
The Senegalese government enacted stricter legislation on March 31, 2026, further penalizing homosexuality. The updated law introduces harsher penalties, including prison sentences of up to ten years, and expands the scope of offenses related to the « promotion » of same-sex relationships.
Since the implementation of these tougher measures, reports indicate that over a hundred arrests have occurred across the country. Notably, a French national remains detained in Senegal since February 14 in a related case. Support organizations like STOP homophobie have mobilized legal assistance and emergency aid for those affected, with their international hotline receiving over 3,000 requests for help.