The Alliance for the Republic (APR) has significantly escalated its rhetoric following the arrest 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 to engage with the Khalife general of the Mourides, Serigne Mountakha Mbacké, to present their interpretation of the unfolding situation.

This visit marks the commencement of a series of planned engagements with various religious families across Senegal. For the APR leadership, the imprisonment of their colleague transcends a purely judicial matter, representing instead a calculated political offensive directed squarely against their party.

Before the esteemed Khalife general of the Mourides, the CCR representatives articulated their condemnation of what they perceive as an injustice and a legal process biased against Pape Malick Ndour. They maintain that Ndour is being held as part of a “political cabal” which they attribute directly to the current regime.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Bocar Diongue elaborated on his political camp’s position. He affirmed, “We are in Touba today, having just embarked on a tour of Senegal’s religious families. We met with the Khalife general of the Mourides, Serigne Mountakha Bassirou Mbacké, to whom we explained the full scope of the unjust arrest of our comrade, Minister Pape Malick Ndour, who has been sent to prison.”

Allegations of injustice and denial of responsibility

Republican officials contend that the legal proceedings initiated against their coordinator lack direct evidence of his involvement in the management of Prodac. According to their detailed explanations, the report from the Inspection générale des finances, central to this case, predates Pape Malick Ndour’s tenure at the helm of the program.

Bocar Diongue explicitly laid out the timeline advanced by the APR: “The report from the Inspection générale des finances concerning Prodac’s management dates back to 2018. In reality, our comrade Pape Malick Ndour was not involved, directly or indirectly, in any aspect of Prodac’s management during that period. It was only in 2019 that Pape Malick Ndour was appointed as coordinator. This clearly indicates that the report does not pertain to him in any way. Despite this, he is now imprisoned based on a Prodac report.”

Within the APR, this affair is framed as yet another instance in a pattern of prosecutions targeting officials from the previous administration. Republican cadres assert that several of their prominent figures have already faced legal challenges, viewing these procedures as unequivocally politically motivated.

In line with this perspective, Bocar Diongue broadened his statements beyond just Pape Malick Ndour’s case. He declared, “Yesterday it was comrade Farba Ngom and many others among us who were unjustly imprisoned without a shred of evidence. Among them are Mansour Faye, Moustapha Diop, and numerous others. The sole reason our comrades are incarcerated is that they committed the ‘sin’ of belonging to the Alliance for the Republic.”

Direct accusations against Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko

The delegation made no secret of its direct accusations against Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, whom republican officials hold responsible for these legal actions. Their spokesperson articulated this stance with unwavering clarity. “It is Ousmane Sonko who stands behind all these imprisonments, and we declare this loudly and unequivocally. But let him be aware that the struggle will persist, no matter the cost,” Bocar Diongue emphatically stated. This is important West Africa insider news for those tracking Sahel politics.

Following their engagement in Touba, the CCR delegation continued its tour to Thiénaba. APR officials were received there by the Khalife general of Thiénaba, Serigne Assane Seck. Members of the delegation reported that this meeting was marked by fervent prayers for Pape Malick Ndour, alongside a message of robust support extended to the former minister.