Senegal: Thérèse Diouf launches new political movement as APR faces turmoil

Former APR leader Thérèse Faye Diouf, now deputy‑mayor of Diarrère and member of the National Assembly, officially launched her new political and citizen movement on 18 July 2026 at the HLM site in Grand‑Yoff, Dakar. The event is intended to unite supporters beyond traditional party lines and could reshape political balances in the Fatick region.

At the same time, APR senior figure Mansour Faye warned that a wave of mayoral defections – described as "transhumance" – threatens the party’s base. Speaking in Linguère, he pledged to block further exits and reaffirmed loyalty to party president Macky Sall, citing Diouf’s recent departure from APR as an example of opportunism. Both incidents highlight mounting internal tension within Senegal’s ruling Alliance for the Republic as it seeks to retain its grassroots support ahead of upcoming elections.