Senegal’s escalating persecution of lgbtq individuals

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Amidst a jeering crowd in Dakar, Senegal, on February 13, 2026, a man was taken into custody by gendarmerie. Neighbors shouted “góor-jigéen”, a Wolof term for “man-woman,” accusing him of being homosexual. This scene is becoming increasingly common across the nation, with over a hundred arrests reported in recent weeks. Tragically, some individuals are subjected to brutal mob attacks; one man was severely beaten due to suspicions about his sexual orientation.

Consequently, members of the LGBTQ community are forced into hiding. One man, speaking anonymously to a France Télévisions crew, shared his constant fear. Under the new legislation, he faces up to ten years in prison for “acts against nature” if identified. “Every moment, you worry someone might come for you. You can’t live freely. You’re forced to hide from everyone. It’s infuriating; this isn’t a life. Living in constant fear is unbearable,” he confided. He revealed that since “these events began,” he has completely isolated himself.

Often, homosexual individuals find themselves in a horrifying dilemma, preferring arrest by authorities to the brutal violence of a mob or neighbors, which can lead to lynching based on mere rumors. “This is pure hatred. They’ve been indoctrinated this way, made to believe that to be truly devout, you must despise homosexuals. That killing a homosexual earns you a place in paradise. But whether you love women or men, it’s a personal matter, concerning only you and God,” the man asserted.

Senegal’s new radical anti-lgbtq legislation

In mid-February, a French engineer in his thirties, residing in Senegal, was arrested at his Dakar home on similar grounds. A police photograph shows him alongside three other suspects detained that same day. He remains incarcerated. His family and lawyer have declined to comment, reflecting a pervasive climate of fear. His friends are deeply distressed. “It shocked us profoundly. And learning the circumstances of his arrest, it was even more disturbing. They simply knocked on his door, he opened it, and they seized him. This is the tactic they’re employing – a roundup,” recounted one of his friends.

In Senegal, a country where 95% of the population is Muslim, homosexuality has historically faced widespread disapproval. A law from 1966 already criminalized homosexual acts, but its enforcement was sporadic. However, the current government has introduced a far more extreme bill, which received unanimous support from all members of parliament. “Homosexuals will no longer breathe in this country,” declared one MP. Another denounced, “We consider LGBTQ values a cultural poison skillfully injected into our people.”

Under this new, stringent law, homosexual acts are now punishable by five to ten years of unwavering imprisonment. Nicolas Bertrand of France Télévisions Afrique noted, “This ultra-repressive law was adopted unanimously: 135 votes for, 0 against. Three elected officials abstained, not because they opposed the text, but rather because they advocated for even harsher penalties against homosexuals.”

hiv/aids treatment access jeopardized by anti-lgbtq laws

Amidst this escalating homophobia, a few courageous voices are calling for reason. Dr. Safiathou Thiam, Executive Secretary of the National Council for the Fight Against AIDS in Senegal, is one such voice. The new law also imposes penalties on those who assist homosexuals, a provision that deeply concerns healthcare professionals working with HIV-positive individuals. “Treating someone who is HIV-positive, regardless of their sexual orientation, is our duty as doctors. We cannot give up. These are people who rely on us. Therefore, we must continue to care for them. It is very challenging for us,” explained Dr. Thiam, expressing both her “concern” and her “hope.” She concluded, “I hope that reason will prevail.”

Due to the threats and fear of arrest, many HIV-positive homosexuals are now reluctant to seek or continue their vital treatment. This alarming situation leads specialists to fear a significant resurgence of the AIDS epidemic throughout Senegal.