Senegal: prominent political figure apprehended amid intensified homosexuality law enforcement
A significant judicial development has recently unfolded in Senegal following the apprehension of Matar Ndiaga Seck, 51. Recognized by local media as a political figure with connections to influential circles, his arrest was carried out by the Division of Criminal Investigations (DIC). This operation followed a search warrant issued by police services in Linguère, located in the northern part of the nation.
Information gathered from sources close to the ongoing inquiry suggests that this arrest is part of a broader investigation into matters concerning the criminalization of homosexuality. Investigators have referenced corroborating evidence from a series of arrests already conducted in the Djoloff region, where approximately twenty individuals have reportedly been taken into custody as part of the same widespread probe.
As of now, judicial authorities have refrained from issuing a detailed statement regarding the specific allegations or the exact nature of the charges being pursued. Investigations are ongoing, particularly focusing on the analysis of seized digital data, including the contents of a mobile phone, which some sources indicate could prove pivotal in shaping the direction of the inquiry.
This incident occurs within a particularly sensitive period in Senegal, marked by a recent tightening of the legal framework governing same-sex relationships. A new law, enacted on March 31, 2026, has reinforced existing provisions within Article 319 of the Penal Code. Notably, it has expanded punishable offenses to include the