Senegal politics: APR slams Ousmane Sonko over Pape Malick Ndour detention

The Alliance for the Republic (APR) has voiced strong condemnation following the arrest of its member Pape Malick Ndour, as part of an ongoing case tied to the PRODAC affair.

In an official statement, the party led by former President Macky Sall accused Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of orchestrating what it describes as a hostage-taking operation. The APR claims Sonko was the first to publicly announce Ndour’s detention, labeling him the mastermind behind this judicial maneuver.

The party argues that the charges against Ndour stem from a disputed 2018 IGF report, despite his appointment to PRODAC only in June 2019. The APR dismisses these claims as legally unsound, insisting they serve as a flimsy pretext for judicial sequestration of an upright citizen who, it asserts, performed admirably as PRODAC coordinator.

Key criticisms raised by the APR include:

• The reliance on a non-contradictory accounting report, which the party argues lacks credibility and contradicts factual evidence.
• The trivial nature of the allegations, which the APR describes as shockingly mundane.
• The systematic use of pretrial detention in cases where fair trial guarantees appear compromised.
• The alleged fragility of the evidence, described as superficial, contradictory, or outright false.

The APR warns that this case sets a dangerous precedent, raising concerns about due process, presumption of innocence, and fundamental freedoms. It condemns what it calls a shift toward criminalizing political opposition and intimidating leaders, vowing to resist any erosion of democratic principles.

The party pledged unwavering support for Ndour, his family, legal team, and all party members. It urged activists and officials to remain vigilant and united against what it terms attempts to undermine democratic values and liberties.

In a forceful declaration, the APR held the Government solely accountable for any harm—physical or moral—inflicted upon Ndour. It demanded his immediate, unconditional release and vowed to stand firm alongside others facing injustice, confident that justice will ultimately prevail over arbitrary power.