A French national was taken into custody in Dakar on February 14, 2026, on charges including unnatural acts, criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and an attempt to transmit HIV during a broader crackdown, diplomatic sources confirmed on May 15. The arrest follows a wave of detentions reported in local media.

The French Embassy in Dakar is closely monitoring the detained individual’s situation, with consular officials having visited him four times to ensure his welfare and legal rights under consular protection.

Diplomatic services at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs continue to maintain direct communication with the detainee’s relatives, providing updates and support throughout the process.

Senegal’s harsh penalties for homosexuality spark global concern

On March 31, Senegal enacted a stringent law targeting homosexuality, doubling the penalties for acts against nature. Offenders now face five to ten years in prison and fines ranging from €3,000 to €15,000. The legislation was championed by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who emphasized the need for clearer legal definitions.

“Any sexual act between individuals of the same sex constitutes an unnatural act,” Sonko declared on February 25. Reports indicate dozens of new arrests under this law are reported daily in Senegalese press.

A measure that “deeply concerns” the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who condemned it as a violation of fundamental rights.

French diplomatic sources reiterated the country’s commitment to universal human rights, stating: “France upholds the universality and indivisibility of human rights and remains dedicated to the universal decriminalization of homosexuality, the defense of LGBT+ rights, and combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

“France stands fully in support of all individuals facing discrimination wherever their rights are violated, particularly those endangered by this new law,” they added.