A French national has been held in detention in Senegal since February 14, facing charges that include “acts against nature.” This arrest comes as the West African nation has recently implemented stricter penalties for homosexual relations, a development confirmed by diplomatic officials on Friday, May 15.
The individual, identified as an engineer in his thirties residing in Dakar, was apprehended on February 14, 2026. The charges against him encompass “acts against nature,” criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and attempted transmission of HIV. This detention occurred amidst a broader series of arrests targeting individuals for similar alleged offenses.
French authorities are closely monitoring the situation. Our embassy in Dakar has provided consular protection, conducting four visits to the detained compatriot and maintaining regular contact with his family. The Quai d’Orsay services in Paris are also actively involved in this ongoing diplomatic effort.
Senegal’s intensified crackdown on alleged homosexuality
In a significant legislative move, Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation, enacted a new law in early March that now imposes prison sentences of five to ten years for homosexual relations. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially promulgated this legislation on March 31.
This legal change unfolds amid a growing wave of homophobia across the country, characterized by numerous arrests based on alleged homosexuality. In Senegal, same-sex relationships are widely viewed as a deviance. The government’s commitment to strengthening the repression of such acts has long been a politically resonant promise for the ruling party.
France has reiterated its unwavering commitment to universal and indivisible human rights. The nation advocates for the global decriminalization of homosexuality, champions the rights of LGBT+ individuals, and actively combats discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as conveyed by French diplomatic representatives.
