A French citizen has been held in detention in Senegal since February 14th, facing accusations including “unnatural acts”. This development comes as the nation has recently intensified its penalties for same-sex relations.
The individual, an engineer in his thirties residing in Dakar, was apprehended on February 14, 2026. Charges against him include “unnatural acts,” criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and attempted HIV transmission. His arrest occurred during a series of detentions.
The French Embassy in Dakar is closely monitoring the situation of its national. Consular officials have conducted four visits to provide protection, maintaining close contact with his family. The Quai d’Orsay in Paris is also actively involved.
Series of arrests for alleged homosexuality
Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation, enacted a new law in early March that imposes prison sentences of five to ten years for homosexual relations. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially promulgated this legislation on March 31st.
This legislative action unfolds amidst a discernible wave of homophobia across the country, accompanied by numerous arrests based on presumed homosexuality. In Senegal, same-sex relationships are widely viewed as a deviation, and the increased severity of their repression represents a long-standing and politically significant pledge from the current ruling party.
France has reiterated its steadfast commitment to the universality and indivisibility of human rights. The nation also underscores its dedication to the global decriminalization of homosexuality, advocating for the rights of LGBT+ individuals and actively combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
