Matar Ndiaga Seck, a 51-year-old prominent political figure widely regarded as a close ally of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has been taken into custody by the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC) following an inquiry into alleged « acts against nature ».
The arrest was triggered by a search warrant issued by police authorities in Linguère, a city in the northern region of Louga. Investigators claim they have gathered substantial evidence connecting Seck to a case involving the detention of at least twenty individuals in the Djoloff area.
At this point, Senegalese authorities have not disclosed detailed information regarding the specific charges or the current status of the legal proceedings.
The term « acts against nature » is rooted in Article 319 of Senegal’s Penal Code, which criminalizes same-sex relations. The legal framework was further tightened on March 31, 2026, with the enactment of a new law that escalates penalties for homosexuality to a maximum of ten years imprisonment. Additionally, the legislation broadens the scope of offenses by targeting the « promotion » of same-sex relationships.
Since the enforcement of this stricter legislation, reports indicate that over a hundred arrests have occurred across the country. Notably, a French national has been detained since February 14 in a related case, with the legal team representing the individual receiving assistance from STOP homophobie.
The organization has also launched an emergency support campaign for victims of violence and persecution in Senegal, responding to a surge in urgent pleas. To date, the international hotline has fielded more than 3,000 requests for assistance.
