The Softcare case has now entered the parliamentary arena.

MP Mouramani Kaba Diakité recently publicly challenged his colleague Guy Marius Sagna on his Facebook page, questioning the true motivations behind his repeated stances regarding the Softcare affair.

Diakité, a member of parliament for the Pastef party and also vice-secretary general of this political formation, publicly stated that certain interests linked to the pharmaceutical industry and the importation of hygiene products were maneuvering to discredit Softcare and regain control of the import market.

He therefore called on his colleague to explain himself before the Senegalese people:

Why repeatedly attack the Minister of Health, the Director General of the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP), and even go so far as to directly attack Softcare itself?

“Yes! We must protect public health while protecting Softcare from predators and pharmaceutical lobbies that import hygiene products,” Diakité wrote.

He continued:

"Pending the conclusions of the parliamentary committee and the various inspection missions, and based on the investigations I have personally conducted as an elected official and representative of the people, I can state without fear of being wrong that Softcare is in compliance with regulations."

The MP clarified that he did not intend to "hinder the work of the committees," but that he remained convinced that:

"Once the positive results of the investigation are inevitably made public, those who tried to tarnish the image of this pillar of our economy will have to pay the heaviest price. For they have not only sown fear, but also seriously damaged our public health environment."

Diakité reminded everyone that:

"Established only in 2022, Softcare has always respected all the laws and regulations governing entrepreneurial activity. Between 2023 and 2025, it injected 20 billion CFA francs into the state coffers and employed thousands of fellow citizens."

He then directly addressed his colleague:

"This is precisely what explains our indignation at the behavior of MP Guy Marius Sagna.

Why is he struggling like this?

Why is he attacking the Director General of the ARP and the Minister of Health?

What interests does he defend?

Why this long silence, before such a sudden and virulent outburst?

Has he become the executive arm of certain hygiene product import lobbies?

He added:

"Who has ever seen a fellow countryman complain of adverse effects related to the use of Softcare products?"

"To tarnish Softcare's image is to weaken the industrial fabric and employment in Senegal."

And to warn:

"In the coming days, I will reveal to the people all the schemes and manipulations hidden behind these attacks, stemming from unhealthy lobbying."

A political activity deemed unusual

In recent weeks, Guy Marius Sagna has indeed been particularly active in his public statements on the Softcare affair.

Previously, during the collective filing of a petition with the Ministry of Health and Social Action, he had publicly questioned the credibility of the Director General of the ARP, while repeatedly expressing his dissatisfaction with the pace at which the ministry was handling the case.

A company under media pressure

For Softcare, placed at the center of the media storm, it is undeniable that the multiplication of public accusations goes far beyond the usual framework of Senegalese public debate.

In reality, since the announcement of December 8, a progressive and persistent media offensive has quickly been put in place against the company, heavily affecting this industrial company which is nevertheless recognized for its exemplary contribution to the national economy.

Objectively, as MP Mouramani Kaba Diakité suggests, the Softcare affair has indeed created an opportunity for the competitors of the Senegalese leader in the hygiene products industry.

Taking advantage of the crisis of confidence, these competing players are gradually nibbling away at market shares previously held by Softcare.

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A real social and economic impact

Thousands of Senegalese families dependent on the Softcare value chain are now directly affected.

Recently, several internal employee letters, whose authenticity has been confirmed, have circulated online.

These employees collectively call for respect for the final conclusions of the investigation and for not giving in to the temptation to condemn the company based on rumors spread on social networks.

Before the Softcare affair, however, the picture was quite different.

Softcare was widely recognized as a national brand of hygiene products that was very popular with Senegalese consumers.

Thanks to its local production, the company has created thousands of jobs, met the daily needs of millions of households and made a stable and significant contribution to state tax revenues, thus supporting the national economy and social welfare.

Most recently, Softcare received the Excellent Contribution Award from the National Federation of Retailers of Senegal (FNBM).

In terms of production quality, Softcare is among the few Senegalese companies in the sector to hold three ISO certifications in the manufacture of hygiene products.

In 2024, at the height of the floods, Softcare also provided humanitarian aid to Touba Ca Kanam, supporting emergency efforts and contributing to a rapid return to normal life for local populations.

Today, due to statements marked by speculation, amplified by social networks, this once exemplary company is facing a crisis of confidence.

Meanwhile, other players in the sector, whose production standards are sometimes less strict, have recently recorded significant gains in market share.

In this respect, the situation experienced by Softcare appears to many as fundamentally unfair — and perhaps even as one of the underlying objectives of this case.

Therefore, the remarks of MP Mouramani Kaba Diakité resonate with a certain force:

"Public opinion is harming quality Senegalese industrial companies."