Senegal Crackdown on Same-Sex Relations Intensifies with Arrest of Celebrities
Dakar, Senegal – A wave of arrests targeting individuals suspected of same-sex relations has sparked alarm in Senegal, with 12 people, including prominent television presenter Pape Cheikh Diallo and singer Djiby Dramé, recently taken into custody. The arrests underscore a growing intolerance towards LGBTQ+ individuals in the West African nation, where homosexual acts remain criminalized.
The 12 men were presented to a prosecutor on Monday and are currently being held at Rebeuss prison in Dakar, according to reports. In addition to accusations of “acts against nature” – a phrase used in Senegal to refer to same-sex sexual activity – the detainees face charges of criminal conspiracy, money laundering, intentional transmission of HIV/AIDS, and endangering the lives of others.
Under Senegalese law, as outlined in Article 319 of the Penal Code, same-sex relations are punishable by imprisonment for one to five years, and/or a fine. Despite ongoing debate within the public sphere and from human rights organizations, this legislation remains in effect.
The arrests have ignited a storm on social media in Senegal, where same-sex relations are widely considered deviant and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community is commonplace. A recent report from Le Monde Afrique notes a “climate of fear, even terror” among LGBTQ+ activists in the country, many of whom are reluctant to speak publicly for fear of reprisal.
The case took a disturbing turn with reports that at least six of the 12 arrested individuals have tested positive for HIV, and that some allegedly continued to engage in unprotected sex with other men despite their diagnosis. Investigators reportedly seized a large quantity of condoms and lubricants during searches of the detainees’ homes.
The crackdown comes as no surprise to those following political developments in Senegal. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, while in opposition, repeatedly promised to strengthen the repression of homosexuality, even making it a key component of his campaign during the 2022 legislative elections.
The arrests have drawn condemnation from international human rights groups. Stop Homophobia, a Paris-based NGO, voiced alarm on Monday, stating that the case serves as a reminder that consensual sex between adults remains criminalized in Senegal, exposing LGBTQIA+ people to arbitrary arrests and stigmatization. The organization emphasized that the detainees are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
However, within Senegal, the response has been largely supportive of the government’s actions. Le Monde Afrique reports that television and radio programs have largely echoed a homophobic narrative, with some prominent figures actively condemning the detainees. Mame Matar Gueye, president of the association Jamra – a group actively campaigning against LGBTQ+ rights – reportedly expressed “disgust” and accused the detainees of “diabolical activity” on the Walf television channel.
The case also highlights the broader societal challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Senegal. Seneplus, a Senegalese news website, questioned whether tolerance is disappearing from the country, arguing that homosexuality is not a choice but a natural inclination and that no religion or group should dictate the rejection of any segment of the population. The website called for legal protections and the freedom for individuals to live openly without fear of persecution.
Recent arrests extend beyond this high-profile case. In December 2025, police arrested 15 LGBT people for allegedly engaging in “unnatural acts,” reportedly after identifying them through a WhatsApp group. Prior to that, in October 2023, a crowd reportedly desecrated the remains of a homosexual man, setting fire to his corpse – an act that sparked widespread outrage, though not a change in legal or social attitudes.
The current crackdown represents a significant escalation in the ongoing persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals in Senegal, raising concerns about the future of human rights and tolerance in the country. The legal proceedings against Pape Cheikh Diallo, Djiby Dramé, and the other detainees are expected to continue, with the potential for lengthy prison sentences if convicted.
