Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef party, has strongly condemned the opposition’s decision to refer his reinstatement as a member of the National Assembly to the Constitutional Council. The move, spearheaded by opposition lawmakers and independents, is seen by Sonko as a deliberate attempt to block his political career.
Political maneuvering or legal overreach?
In a defiant statement, Sonko described the opposition’s actions as part of a broader conspiracy, arguing that the Constitutional Council lacks the authority to rule on the matter. “This is nothing but political scheming disguised as legal procedure,” he asserted. “Those who filed this appeal knew full well it falls outside the Council’s jurisdiction.”
He further accused the opposition of abusing state institutions to achieve their goals, vowing to counter such tactics through all constitutional means available.
“If they resort to state power to target us, we will respond with every legal tool the Constitution grants us,” Sonko warned.
Opposition’s case hinges on constitutional concerns
The opposition’s challenge centers on the argument that Sonko’s reinstatement violates Article 54 of the Constitution, which prohibits holding certain public offices alongside a parliamentary mandate. Their contention is that Sonko, who served as Prime Minister before being elected as a deputy in 2024, was ineligible from the moment he assumed office.
The dispute traces back to a June 1, 2026 press release, in which opposition lawmakers and independents announced their formal complaint to the Constitutional Council. The move followed the National Assembly’s Bureau decision on May 24, 2026, which approved Sonko’s reinstatement as a deputy.
