Senegal imprisons 10 men for ‘unnatural acts’

Senegal police arrested dozens of men found on gay WhatsApp group

Fifteen men were arrested on suspicion of committing “unnatural acts” in the Diourbel region of Senegal this month, following an investigation that began with a complaint from a marabout, a Muslim holy man, about the theft of a cell phone. Following the investigation, the initial complainant was also arrested for participating in “unnatural acts.”

In Senegal, “unnatural acts,” meaning gay sex, is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to CFA 1,500,000 (approximately $2700 USD).

On December 18, the court handed down its verdict, and in total, eighteen men were found to be involved in the case.

Among them, six were sentenced to two years in prison for criminal conspiracy, indecent acts, and dissemination of images contrary to public decency, while four others are still awaiting sentencing, according to our colleagues at Senenews.

According to an earlier Senenews report, following his arrest, the suspect quickly gave his version of events, justifying the theft of the marabout’s belongings by claiming that he owed him money for a sexual encounter that had been completed but not paid for.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the relationship between the two men led to the arrest and search of 15 men, all suspected of “unnatural acts,” with damning evidence linked to the discovery of messaging history on the dignitary’s phone, which had the WhatsApp application downloaded.

In the end, 18 people were tried, 10 of whom remain in custody, including 4 in pretrial detention awaiting a verdict, while 6 others were convicted of indecent exposure, indecent acts, and criminal conspiracy. The initial complainant was acquitted on charges of criminal conspiracy and unnatural acts.

The others were acquitted, exonerated, or given suspended sentences for minor offenses such as petty theft and receiving stolen goods.

Forced anal tests carried out in Senegal

During the investigations, local media revealed that some of the defendants underwent force anal examinations to prove their homosexuality, which constitutes an act of torture according to the United Nations.

This is the first documented case of its kind in this West African country, in clear violation of Article 7 of the Senegalese Constitution, which states that “every individual has the right to bodily integrity.”

Finally, the HIV status of one of the defendants was revealed in the press, adding HIV stigma to the repression of homosexuality.

The repercussions of this case continue to be felt in the Senegalese political arena, as Mame Mactar Guèye of the conservative NGO Jamra is using this case to highlight that a sixth bill in nine years to increase penalties against homosexuality has been drafted this year. Abdou Karim Gueye, from the Nittu Degg association, is behind the initiative. He has been banned from entering the European Union since 2020.

To date, all these attempts have failed or been blocked.