Alliance pour la République confronts alleged political targeting in Touba

The Alliance pour la République (APR) has adopted a more strident tone subsequent to the detention and incarceration of its national coordinator, Pape Malick Ndour, in connection with the Programme des domaines agricoles communautaires (Prodac) dossier. On Monday, May 18, 2026, a delegation from the Convergence des cadres républicains (CCR) traveled to Touba. Their objective was to engage with the Khalife général des Mourides, Serigne Mountakha Mbacké, and present their interpretation of the unfolding situation.

This initial visit marks the commencement of a series of scheduled engagements with various influential religious families across Senegal. For the leadership of the APR, the imprisonment of their colleague transcends a purely legal matter; they view it as an integral part of what they characterize as a deliberate political offensive targeting their party.

During their audience with the Khalife général des Mourides, the CCR representatives vocally condemned what they perceive as a grave injustice and a judicial process unfairly biased against Pape Malick Ndour. They adamantly maintain that Ndour’s detention is a direct consequence of a “political cabal” which they squarely attribute to the incumbent regime.

Bocar Diongue, serving as the delegation’s spokesperson, articulated his political faction’s stance in detail. He conveyed, “We are present in Touba today, having just commenced a tour to meet Senegal’s religious families. We have held discussions with the Khalife général des Mourides, Serigne Mountakha Bassirou Mbacké, to whom we thoroughly explained the circumstances surrounding the arrest of our comrade, Minister Pape Malick Ndour, who has been unjustly imprisoned.”

Claims of injustice and disavowal of culpability

Republican officials contend that the legal actions initiated against their coordinator lack any foundation in his direct involvement with the administration of Prodac. According to their assertions, the report from the Inspection générale des finances, central to this case, pertains to a period preceding Pape Malick Ndour’s appointment as head of the program.

Bocar Diongue explicitly outlined the timeline presented by the APR: “It was in 2018 that a report from the Inspection générale des finances concerning Prodac’s management was issued. In reality, our comrade Pape Malick Ndour was not involved, either directly or indirectly, in any aspect of Prodac’s management during that time. It was only in 2019 that Pape Malick Ndour was appointed to the position of coordinator. This unequivocally means that this report does not concern him in the slightest. Despite this, he is now incarcerated based on a Prodac report.”

Within the ranks of the APR, this incident is portrayed as yet another chapter in a series of legal actions allegedly targeting prominent figures of the former government. Republican cadres assert that numerous leading members have already faced judicial scrutiny, viewing these proceedings as overtly politically motivated.

In this context, Bocar Diongue broadened his critique beyond the specific case of Pape Malick Ndour. He declared, “Yesterday it was comrade Farba Ngom and many others among us who were sent to prison without a shred of evidence. Among those are Mansour Faye, Moustapha Diop, and numerous others. The sole reason our comrades are imprisoned is that they committed the ‘sin’ of belonging to the Alliance pour la République.”

Direct accusations against Ousmane Sonko

The delegation made no attempt to conceal its direct accusations against Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, whom republican officials hold responsible for instigating these legal procedures. This position was articulated with absolute clarity by their spokesperson. “It is Ousmane Sonko who stands behind all these imprisonments; we declare it unequivocally. But let him be aware that the struggle will persist, no matter the cost,” Bocar Diongue emphatically stated.

Following their engagement in Touba, the CCR delegation continued its journey to Thiénaba. There, APR officials were received by the Khalife général of Thiénaba, Serigne Assane Seck. Members of the delegation reported that this meeting was characterized by prayers offered for Pape Malick Ndour, alongside expressions of unwavering support for the former minister.