Tensions escalate in Senegal as authorities detain Matar Ndiaga Seck, a 51-year-old political figure described by local observers as a close associate of prominent opposition circles. The arrest was executed by the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC) following a warrant issued by police in Linguère, a northern city in the country.

Investigators allege the detention is part of a broader crackdown on alleged violations linked to the criminalization of same-sex relationships. Reports indicate that at least twenty individuals have been apprehended in the Djoloff region as part of the same probe, with authorities examining digital evidence—including data extracted from a confiscated mobile phone—to build their case.

To date, judicial authorities have not disclosed specifics regarding the charges or legal framework underpinning the arrests. The ongoing inquiry hinges on forensic analysis of seized materials, which may determine the direction of legal proceedings in the coming weeks.

New anti-LGBTQ+ law fuels arrests and controversy

The timing of this case coincides with heightened legal restrictions in Senegal following the enactment of a stringent amendment to Article 319 of the Penal Code on March 31, 2026. The revised legislation expands criminal liability to include the