Alioune Badara Coulibaly's elegy to Pape Malick Ndour in the face of what he considers an "unjust decision"

The spokesperson for the Alliance for the Republic (APR), Alioune Badara Coulibaly, reacted strongly to the detention order issued on Tuesday, April 28, by the Supreme Court against the coordinator of the Republican cadres, Pape Malick Ndour.

Mr. Coulibaly expressed his outrage at this decision, which he considers an attempt to "muzzle" his colleague. He sees it as a desire to silence a voice critical of the government.

Recalling a quote from General Charles de Gaulle, who said: "a great man is the meeting of an event and a will".

Alioune Badara Coulibaly paints a portrait of a committed man, driven by "a constant desire to serve his country".

"You, Pope, your greatness lies in this long-established encounter between your country and your will to love it with a tyrannical love. You generously and convincingly embody the ideal of leader that Africa needs to change the course of history," he said.

Looking back on their shared journey, he evokes the beginnings of their political collaboration within the Alliance for the Republic, recalling the influence of Pape Malick Ndour in his commitment.

"Now that the political powers are trying to silence you by sending you to languish in the citadel of silence, I feel compelled to put these words on paper. Certainly, in our journalistic practices and traditions, it is almost unheard of to speak about a man still living among us, as I intend to do today with you. I am therefore breaking the rule for you, an exceptional and committed comrade who still shares with us the joys and sorrows of life. Nothing prevents this, provided we agree to refer to the customs and traditions that underpin our society. These recommend it. The only limit is ethical. The message must be sincere and honest. And God alone knows how sincere and honest I am in speaking about you. I feel comfortable praising your extraordinary commitment to just causes, to the dignity of your country, its development, and its very greatness," wrote Mr. Coulibaly.

The APR spokesperson also praised his colleague's stance in the face of the judicial decision, emphasizing his "dignity" and "serenity." He specifically quoted Pape Malick Ndour's statement that he was ready to face detention "with his head held high," while also claiming "peace of conscience."

Beyond the legal situation, Alioune Badara Coulibaly highlights the political qualities of the former official, whom he presents as a defender of national causes and an actor committed to good governance.

According to him, Pape Malick Ndour has established himself, since the loss of power by his camp, as a prominent figure in the Senegalese political landscape, embodying "a dignified and committed way of doing politics".

"Pope, you say out loud what citizens think quietly, pointing the finger at what you rightly call the scandalous conduct of power by the political regime. For speaking on behalf of those who do not have an appropriate platform to express themselves, you suffer the wrath of a man. He resents you for simply reminding him, quite rightly, of his commitments to his people and correcting his economic errors," he sings.

"You have undoubtedly won the hearts of your fellow citizens since the loss of power. You have thus become a symbol, an absolute reference in your elegant and patriotic, I would even say revolutionary, way of doing politics, with dignity, commitment and altruism. Your fight for democracy, your ideal of justice and your determination to stand up against all deviations make you today a remarkable figure in the political landscape," the APR spokesperson reiterated.