A French citizen has been held in detention in Senegal since February 14th, facing charges including “acts against nature”. This arrest comes as Senegal has recently intensified its penalties for homosexual relations.
The French national, an engineer in his thirties residing in Dakar, was taken into custody on February 14, 2026. The charges against him include “acts against nature,” “criminal association,” “money laundering,” and “attempted transmission of HIV.” This detention occurred amidst a series of arrests.
Our embassy in Dakar is closely monitoring the situation of our compatriot. The consulate has conducted four visits to provide consular protection and maintains regular contact with his family. The Quai d’Orsay services in Paris are also fully engaged.
Increased arrests over alleged homosexuality
In early March, Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation, enacted a new law imposing prison sentences of five to ten years for homosexual relations. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially promulgated this legislation on March 31st.
This legal development unfolds against a backdrop of rising homophobia within the country and a pattern of arrests targeting individuals suspected of homosexuality. In Senegal, same-sex relationships are widely viewed as a deviation, and the increased suppression of such acts represents a long-standing political pledge by the ruling party, resonating strongly with a segment of the population.
France reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the universality and indivisibility of human rights. We advocate for the global decriminalization of homosexuality, the protection of LGBT+ individuals’ rights, and the ongoing fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.