Following the arrest of 10 gay men in the city of Touba in Senegal, local LGBTIQ* organisations are asking for help: there is no money to release one prisoner and evacuate the victims.

Last Sunday, ten gay men were arrested during a raid in Touba, the second largest city in Senegal. The raid was motivated by the opening of a new Safiyatoul Amal militia headquarters. For the followers of the Sufi Islamic movement of Mouridism, Touba is a holy city because it is home to the tomb of Shaikh Ahmadou Bàmba Mbàcke, the founder of Mouridism.

As reported by Rights Africa, in addition to the men, 16 sex workers* and 18 people practising indigenous religions were imprisoned and countless prohibited items were confiscated.

Seneweb TV filmed the illegal items seized during the raid by the religious police in Touba, including footballs, drums, bongos, dresses and lingerie, mannequins, tobacco packets, televisions and radios. Source: Seneweb TV on YouTube

According to a regional human rights organisation, six men were released after they agreed to confess before their families that they had practised homosexuality in Touba. The other four refused to do so for fear of reprisal. Three other men were released after the NGO paid the fines. One man is still behind bars, however. Since there is not enough money to pay for his release, he is to be handed over to the public prosecutor and charged with homosexuality, prostitution without a health card and with links to evildoers.

The organisation is urgently requesting financial help to enable all victims to be released, evacuated and cared for. A total of 840 euros is needed. Persons and organisations wishing to provide financial support for the men arrested should contact: collectiffree@gmail.com

Homosexuality in Senegal

Senegal is one of the few francophone African countries that punish homosexuality. According to Article 319, paragraph 3 of the Senegalese Penal Code, homosexual acts are “immoral, unnatural acts”, and are therefore illegal and can be punished with imprisonment for up to five years and a fine.

Touba is a kind of state within the state where the militia rules, because the Mourid Brotherhood considers the area around Touba as its property. The Senegalese government has little influence. The militia employs its own network of informants to track down homosexuals and “acts against nature”. At least six people are said to have been convicted this year alone.

Senegal ranks 161st in the Spartacus Gay Travel Index 2020.

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