Close associate of Senegalese Prime Minister detained in controversial case
Matar Ndiaga Seck, a 51-year-old political figure widely described in local reports as a close ally of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has been taken into custody by the Criminal Investigations Division (DIC). The arrest follows a warrant issued by police in Linguère, a town in the northern Louga region.
Investigators claim to have uncovered corroborating evidence linking him to a case involving at least twenty individuals detained in the Djoloff area. However, no further details regarding the allegations or the current judicial status have been disclosed by Senegalese authorities.
Legal context behind the charges
The term « acts against nature » refers to Article 319 of Senegal’s Penal Code, which criminalizes same-sex relationships. This legal provision has recently been reinforced by a stricter law enacted on March 31, 2026, introducing harsher penalties—up to ten years imprisonment—and broadening the scope of offenses related to the « promotion » of such relationships.
Since the enforcement of this toughened legislation, over a hundred arrests have been documented across the country. Notably, a French national has been held in Senegal since February 14 under similar circumstances. Support groups, including STOP homophobie, are actively assisting detainees and their legal representatives.
Emergency response for victims of persecution
A dedicated hotline set up by the advocacy group has already fielded more than 3,000 urgent appeals from individuals facing violence or discrimination in Senegal. Their campaign aims to provide immediate relief and legal guidance to those affected by the current wave of enforcement.
