Senegal arrests political figure in alleged same-sex offense case

In a significant development, Matar Ndiaga Seck, a 51-year-old political figure widely regarded as a close associate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has been taken into custody by the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC) in connection with an ongoing probe into alleged same-sex misconduct.

The arrest follows a warrant issued by police authorities in Linguère, located in the Louga region of northern Senegal. Investigators have highlighted what they describe as compelling evidence in a case that has already led to the detention of at least twenty individuals in the Djoloff area.

At this point, Senegalese officials have not released specific details regarding the charges or the current status of the legal proceedings.

The legal framework underpinning the investigation is Article 319 of the Senegalese Penal Code, which criminalizes sexual relations between individuals of the same gender. This legislation has recently undergone further tightening, with a new law enacted on March 31, 2026, that introduces harsher penalties—up to a decade behind bars—and expands the scope of offenses to include the alleged promotion of same-sex relationships.

Since the enforcement of these stricter measures, reports indicate that over a hundred arrests have been recorded across the country. Among those detained is a French national, who has been held since February 14 in a case involving similar charges. Support groups, including STOP homophobie, are actively assisting detained individuals through legal representation and emergency aid.

The organization has also launched a dedicated initiative to support victims of violence and persecution in Senegal, responding to a surge in urgent cases. Their international hotline has already fielded more than 3,000 requests for assistance.