Senegal official held in anti-lgbtq+ crackdown amid sonko ties

A 51-year-old political figure from Sénégal, identified by local sources as a close associate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has been taken into custody by the Division of Criminal Investigations (DIC). The arrest follows an inquiry into alleged « acts against nature », a term that carries legal weight under Sénégal‘s criminal code.

The operation was triggered by a warrant issued by police in Linguère, a town in the northern Louga region. Investigators claim to have gathered consistent evidence linking the detained individual to a broader case involving at least 20 arrests in the Djoloff area.

At present, Sénégal‘s authorities have not provided specific details about the charges or the current status of the legal proceedings. However, the legal framework in question—Article 319 of the Sénégal Penal Code—criminalizes same-sex relations, a provision that has drawn international scrutiny.

The legislative landscape in Sénégal took a stricter turn in late March 2026, when a new law was enacted to intensify penalties for homosexuality. Offenders now face up to a decade behind bars, while broader attempts to « promote » same-sex relationships have also been criminalized. Since the law’s implementation, over a hundred detentions have been documented across the country.

Adding to the controversy, a French national has been held in Sénégal since mid-February under similar accusations. Support groups, including one assisting victims of persecution, report receiving thousands of urgent appeals for assistance in recent weeks.