Matar ndiaga seck held in Senegal over alleged unnatural acts

A 51-year-old political figure from Sénégal, identified by local observers as a close associate of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, was taken into custody by the Division of Criminal Investigations (DIC) on suspicion of involvement in alleged unnatural acts.

The arrest follows a search warrant issued by police in Linguère, a town in the Louga region in northern Sénégal. Investigators claim to have gathered consistent evidence linking the case to the detention of at least twenty individuals in the Djoloff area.

As of now, authorities have not disclosed specific charges or the current status of the legal proceedings. The phrase « acts against nature » refers to Sénégal’s Penal Code under Article 319, which criminalizes same-sex relationships.

Sénégal recently enacted stricter legislation on March 31, 2026, introducing harsher penalties for homosexuality, including potential prison sentences of up to ten years. The law also broadens the scope of offenses related to the « promotion » of same-sex relationships.

Since the new measures came into force, over a hundred arrests have been reported across the country. A French national remains detained in Sénégal under similar circumstances since February 14, with legal assistance coordinated by rights groups.

Advocacy organizations have activated emergency support networks for individuals facing persecution, with international hotlines receiving over 3,000 urgent requests for assistance.