Matar ndiaga seck arrested in Senegal amid alleged unnatural acts probe

Political figure linked to Ousmane Sonko detained in Senegal

Matar Ndiaga Seck, a 51-year-old political figure widely described in national media as a close associate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC) following an inquiry into alleged unnatural acts.

The arrest follows an active warrant issued by police in Linguère, located in the Louga region of northern Senegal. Investigators claim to have gathered corroborating evidence in connection with the detention of at least twenty individuals in the Djoloff area.

At this time, Senegalese authorities have not released detailed information regarding the specific allegations or the current status of the legal proceedings.

Legal context of ‘unnatural acts’ in Senegal

The term ‘unnatural acts’ refers directly to Article 319 of the Senegalese Penal Code, which criminalizes same-sex relations. The legal framework received further reinforcement on March 31, 2026, when a stricter law was enacted, increasing penalties to up to ten years imprisonment and expanding the scope to include offenses related to the ‘promotion’ of same-sex relationships.

Since the new legislation came into effect, reports indicate that over a hundred arrests have been recorded across the country. Among those detained is a French national, held since February 14 in a related case. Support group STOP homophobie has remained in contact with legal representatives throughout the detention.

Emergency response initiative for victims

In response to escalating incidents of violence and persecution, a dedicated support campaign has been launched to assist individuals at risk in Senegal. The international hotline has already received over 3,000 urgent appeals from those seeking protection.