At the age of 51, Matar Ndiaga Seck—widely regarded in Senegalese political circles as a close associate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko—has been taken into custody by the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC). The arrest follows a warrant issued by police authorities in Linguère, within the Louga region of northern Senegal, amid an ongoing inquiry involving multiple detainees.
Investigators have indicated that substantial evidence has emerged in connection with cases stemming from the Djoloff area, where no fewer than twenty individuals have been detained in recent weeks. However, no official statement has been released by Senegalese authorities regarding the specific allegations or the current legal proceedings.
The legal framework underpinning the charges refers to Article 319 of Senegal’s Penal Code, which criminalizes same-sex relations. This provision has gained renewed attention following the enforcement of stricter legislation passed on March 31, 2026, which significantly increases penalties for such acts—up to ten years imprisonment—and broadens the scope to include the promotion of same-sex relationships.
Since the law’s implementation, reports indicate that over a hundred arrests have been documented across the country. Notably, a French national has been held in Senegal since February 14 in a related case. Support networks are actively coordinating legal assistance for those affected.
Advocacy groups have also mobilized to provide emergency aid to individuals facing persecution in Senegal, with their international hotline receiving thousands of urgent requests in recent months.
