Matar Ndiaga Seck detained in Sénégal over alleged acts against nature

Matar Ndiaga Seck, a 51-year-old political figure known for his close ties to Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, has been taken into custody by the Division of Criminal Investigations (DIC). His arrest is part of a broader investigation into suspected “acts against nature.”

The apprehension follows a warrant issued by the police in Linguère, situated in the Louga region of northern Sénégal. Law enforcement officials have pointed to a series of consistent findings linking this case to a wider crackdown in the Djoloff area, where approximately twenty people have been arrested recently.

While the authorities have not yet released a detailed account of the specific evidence or the current status of the legal proceedings, the charge of “acts against nature” refers to Article 319 of the Sénégal Penal Code. This specific article criminalizes relationships between individuals of the same sex.

The legal environment regarding these issues became significantly more severe on March 31, 2026, when Sénégal enacted a new law. This legislation increased potential prison sentences to ten years and expanded the scope of criminal offenses to include the “promotion” of same-sex relations.

Since the implementation of these stricter measures, over a hundred arrests have been documented across the country. This trend includes the detention of a French national who has been held since February 14 in a similar case. Legal support and advocacy efforts are currently underway to assist those caught in these proceedings.

In light of the increasing number of prosecutions and reports of harassment, an international support campaign has been established to provide emergency assistance to victims. This support network has already handled more than 3,000 requests for help from individuals facing legal or physical threats in Sénégal.