Senegal lesbian arrests Keur Massar spark LGBTQ+ rights concerns

• Eight women have been summoned to the Pikine-Guédiawaye prosecutor's office for allegedly engaging in 'acts against nature.'
• The arrests were made by the Keur Massar Brigade de recherches, and a return of parquet has been ordered.
• All eight suspects have reportedly admitted to their involvement with a lesbian community active in Dakar, Mbour, and Thiès.
• Senegal's penal code prohibits 'acts against nature,' with amendments in March 2026 increasing penalties to five to ten years imprisonment and substantial fines, and criminalizing the promotion or financing of same-sex relationships.
• This case may set a precedent for future prosecutions of individuals engaging in consensual same-sex relationships.

All eight suspects have reportedly admitted to their involvement with a lesbian community active in Dakar, Mbour, and Thiès.

In a significant development in Senegal's same-sex laws, eight women have been summoned to the Pikine-Guédiawaye prosecutor's office for allegedly engaging in 'acts against nature.' The women were arrested by the Keur Massar Brigade de recherches and later had a return of parquet ordered. This case has been ongoing since July, when two initial suspects, Mame Diarra Fall and Fatou Mar, were apprehended. Their phone records revealed connections to a lesbian community active in Dakar, Mbour, and Thiès, leading to the arrest of six more women. All eight suspects have reportedly admitted to their involvement.

Senegal's penal code has been criticized for its strict laws against same-sex relationships. The country's penal code prohibits 'acts against nature,' which, following amendments in March 2026, now carries prison sentences of five to ten years and fines of up to ten million CFA francs. The amended law also criminalizes the promotion, financing, and support of homosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexuality. This case may set a precedent for future prosecutions of individuals engaging in consensual same-sex relationships. Lawyers are closely watching this development, as it could have significant implications for LGBTQ+ rights in Senegal.

The Keur Massar arrests and subsequent summoning to the prosecutor's office highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Senegal. The country's laws and social norms create a hostile environment for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. This case may spark renewed calls for reform of Senegal's penal code and greater protections for marginalized communities.

Lawyers should watch for potential implications on same-sex relationships and LGBTQ+ rights in Senegal, as this case may set a precedent for future prosecutions.

Source: Original reporting via Senegalese news outlet