afrol News, 25 February - Dozens of Senegalese homosexuals are reported to have fled to the neighbouring countries [The Gambia and Mali] to escape the looming threats on their lives.

The Gambia may not be a safe hideout for homosexuals, considering President Yahya Jammeh's personal hatred of homosexuality. He had earlier threatened to crush any act of homosexuality in the country.

Since the publication of a gay wedding in the outskirts of the capital Dakar in early February, stories on homosexuality have been dominating news in Senegal. The story - backed by photographs - was first published by a local magazine, Icone.

Icone's editor has since received several threats for exposing homosexuals to "social stigma and blackmail."

The publication has flared tempers in the predominantly Muslim nation, resulting to arrest and detention of homosexuals and all those who graced the wedding, including musicians.

The detainees were unconditionally released without explanation from the police. Local media reports alleged that homosexuals were set free as soon as they threatened to name some high-ranking state officials involved in the outlawed practice in Senegal.

Senegalese authorities have been under local religious pressures to avoid tolerating homosexuality in the country, especially as the country prepares to host a major international Islamic summit on 12 March.

Led by an influential Muslim cleric and lawmaker, Imam Mbaye Niang, hundreds of people took to the streets of Dakar to protest against the government's failure to prosecute the gay suspects.

Chanting Allahu Akbar [God is great], the protesters later turned violent, burning rubbish and blockading roads close to the central mosque in Dakar.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories