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Wave of arrests hit LGBTQ citizens, generating an atmosphere of fear.
Amid a wave of arrests of LGBTQ citizens and claims about gay networks deliberately spreading HIV, conservative Muslims are again pushing to tighten Senegal’s anti-homosexuality law.
As they did last year, the Islamist collective And Samm Djikko Yi (“Together to Protect Values” in the local Wolof language) is pushing for adoption of tougher penalties plus a provision to prohibit “promotion of homosexuality” through social media, digital platforms, and other broadcasts.
The battle over LGBTQ rights has been prominent in Senegal for a decade, including political/religious disputes in 2016, 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025.
At present, under Paragraph 3 of Article 319 of Law No. 65-60 of 21 July 1965, anyone who commits an “unnatural act with an individual of the same sex” is liable to imprisonment for 1 to 5 years and a fine of between 100,000 and 1,500,000 CFA francs (€150 to €2,200).
An earlier attempt to tighten Senegal’s anti-homosexuality laws was defeated in 2022, when parliament declined to vote on a bill to make homosexual activity punishable by up to 10 or 15 years in prison.
This year, And Samm Djikko Yi declared that a tougher anti-homosexuality law must be passed by April 8 or they will launch a nationwide campaign: “We will inform the population that this government refused to enact this law […]. We will go to see religious leaders, traditional chiefs, and the entire nation. They will have to bear all the consequences.”
Complaining that LGBTQ citizens of Senegal are allowed to communicate online, the Islamist pressure group campaigns as if Senegal did not already have an anti-homosexuality law. Their spokesperson, Adama Mboup, warned this week: “We will sanction this government if it refuses to implement this law. […] No outcome is more urgent than the criminalization of homosexuality. “
Meanwhile, a dozen men were arrested on Feb. 6 for “unnatural acts” and “intentionally transmitting HIV”. Among them is Pape Cheikh Diallo, a popular television reporter, and Djiby Dramé, a musician.
As openly homophobic rhetoric has intensified, human rights defenders have been forced into silence.
Le Monde Afrique reported: “There is an atmosphere of fear, even terror,” described an activist from Free Sénégal, a group advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, describing the current climate in the country. The activist, who insisted on remaining anonymous, said it is impossible to speak openly on the topic.
In addition, another five men were arrested for homosexual activity on Thursday in Touba, a city that’s holy to the dominant local Sufi Muslim sect. One of them was HIV-positive. They were charged with conspiracy, unnatural acts and endangering the lives of others
