Matar Ndiaga Seck, aged 51, widely recognized as a political ally of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has been detained by the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC) amid allegations of « acts against nature ». The arrest follows a warrant issued by police authorities in Linguère, located in the northern region of Louga.
Investigators indicate that evidence gathered points to connections with the detention of at least twenty individuals in the Djoloff area. However, Senegalese authorities have refrained from disclosing specifics about the charges or the current status of the judicial process.
The term « acts against nature » is legally defined under Article 319 of the Senegalese Penal Code, which criminalizes same-sex relations. This legal framework has recently been expanded, with a new law enacted on March 31, 2026, introducing stricter penalties—including potential prison sentences of up to ten years—and broadening the scope of offenses related to the « promotion » of same-sex relationships.
Since the enforcement of these heightened legal measures, over a hundred arrests have been documented across the country. Notably, a French national has been held in Senegal since February 14 in a related case, with support organizations monitoring the situation closely.
Advocacy groups have mobilized to assist victims of persecution and violence in Senegal, establishing emergency response mechanisms. The international hotline has already fielded over 3,000 requests for assistance.
