Matar Ndiaga Seck arrested in Senegal over alleged unnatural acts: what we know

A 51-year-old political figure from Sénégal, identified by local news outlets as a close associate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has been detained by the Division des investigations criminelles (DIC) in connection with a probe into alleged « unnatural acts ».

Background of the arrest

The detention follows a warrant issued by police in Linguère, a town in the Louga region of northern Sénégal. Investigators claim to have gathered compelling evidence linked to the arrest of at least twenty individuals in the Djoloff area. Authorities have yet to disclose specific charges or the current status of the legal proceedings.

Legal context: what does « unnatural acts » mean?

The term « unnatural acts » refers to Article 319 of the Sénégal Penal Code, which criminalizes same-sex relationships. The legal framework has recently undergone significant changes, with a stricter anti-homosexuality law enacted on March 31, 2026. The amendment increases penalties to a maximum of ten years imprisonment and expands the scope of offenses to include the « promotion » of same-sex relations.

Rising crackdown on LGBTQ+ individuals

Since the enforcement of the new legislation, over a hundred arrests have been documented across the country. Notably, a French national remains detained in Sénégal since February 14 in a related case. STOP homophobie, a human rights organization, has established emergency support mechanisms for victims of persecution, receiving over 3,000 urgent requests through its international hotline.