The individual, an engineer residing in Dakar, was apprehended on February 14, 2026. The charges against him include “acts against nature,” participation in a criminal association, money laundering, and attempted transmission of HIV. This arrest occurred amid a broader series of detentions.

The French embassy in Dakar is closely monitoring the situation of its citizen. Our consular services have conducted four visits to him, providing essential consular protection, and maintain continuous contact with his family. Similar efforts are being undertaken by the Quai d’Orsay in Paris.

Increased penalties and a wave of arrests for alleged homosexuality

In Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation, a new law was enacted in early March, significantly increasing penalties for homosexual relations. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially promulgated this legislation on March 31st, which now mandates prison sentences ranging from five to ten years for such acts.

This legislative change comes amidst a rising wave of homophobia across the nation and a series of arrests targeting individuals suspected of homosexuality. In Senegal, same-sex relationships are widely viewed as a deviance, and the intensified repression reflects a long-standing political commitment from the current ruling party, which resonates strongly with a segment of the electorate.

France has reiterated its unwavering commitment to the universal and indivisible respect for human rights. The nation advocates for the global decriminalization of homosexuality, champions the rights of LGBT+ individuals, and actively combats discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.