Hundreds of men in Senegal have recently faced arrest, and some have even been subjected to mob violence. The nation’s legal framework targeting homosexuals has been drastically tightened, now imposing potential prison sentences of up to ten years.
On February 13, 2026, a man was escorted by gendarmerie through the streets of Dakar, Senegal, amidst jeers from onlookers. Neighbors shouted “góor-jigéen” (Wolof for “man-woman”), accusing him of being homosexual. Such incidents are increasingly common across the country, with over a hundred arrests reported in recent weeks. Disturbingly, some individuals have been brutally assaulted by crowds based on mere suspicion of their sexual orientation.
In this climate of fear, many gay men are forced into hiding, as exemplified by one individual who spoke to a France Télévisions crew. He expressed constant anxiety, stating, “At any moment, you think someone can come and grab you. You can’t live. You are forced to live hidden from everyone. It sucks, it’s not a life. Being afraid all the time is not possible.” Since the recent intensification of these events, he has isolated himself completely.
Often, individuals prefer arrest to facing violent attacks from neighbors or mobs fueled by rumors. “It’s hate. They were fed that way. They were made to believe that you have to hate a homosexual to be more religious. That if you kill a homosexual, you will go to paradise. Whether you love women or men, it’s a personal thing, it only concerns you and God,” the man asserted.
Senegal’s severe new anti-gay legislation
In mid-February, a French engineer in his thirties, residing in Senegal, was apprehended at his Dakar home on similar grounds. A police-released photo shows him alongside three other suspects arrested that day. He remains incarcerated. His family and legal counsel have declined to comment, fearing repercussions. A friend expressed profound shock: “It shocked us deeply. And then, when we learned the circumstances of the arrest, it shocked us even more. Because they knocked on the door, he opened it, and they snatched him. That’s the tactic they’re using, it’s essentially a raid.“
In Senegal, a nation with a 95% Muslim majority, homosexuality has consistently faced widespread disapproval. While a 1966 law already criminalized homosexual acts, it was seldom enforced. However, the current government has introduced a significantly more stringent bill, which received unanimous support from all parliament members. One deputy declared, “Homosexuals will no longer breathe in this country.” Another decried, “We consider LGBTQ values to be a cultural poison cleverly inoculated into our people.“
Under this new legislation, homosexual acts are punishable by five to ten years of strict imprisonment. Nicolas Bertrand of France Télévisions Afrique highlighted the overwhelming consensus: “This ultra-repressive law was adopted unanimously: 135 votes for, 0 votes against. There were also three abstentions, but not because they opposed the text; quite the contrary, they were advocating for even harsher penalties against homosexuals.“
hiv/aids treatment access jeopardized for many
Amidst this pervasive homophobia, a few voices advocate for moderation. Dr. Safiathou Thiam, Executive Secretary of the National Council for the Fight Against AIDS in Senegal, is one such individual. The new law also imposes penalties on those who assist homosexuals, causing concern among healthcare providers working with HIV-positive individuals. Dr. Thiam explained, “Treating someone who is HIV-positive, whether homosexual or not, is something that falls under our duty as doctors. We do not have the right to give up. These are people who count on us. So, we must continue to treat them. It’s very complicated for us.” She expressed being “worried” but also “confident,” hoping for a “return to reason.“
Due to these threats, many HIV-positive homosexuals are now hesitant to seek their vital treatments, fearing arrest. This alarming situation has led specialists to predict a potential resurgence of the AIDS epidemic in Senegal.