Senator Sonko accuses rivals of orchestrating legal battle to block his return
In a sharp public reaction, Ousmane Sonko, leader of Senegal’s largest opposition party PASTEF, has condemned what he calls a politically motivated legal challenge aimed at preventing his reinstatement as a member of parliament. The move follows a constitutional petition filed by opposition legislators and independents seeking to overturn the National Assembly’s decision to restore his mandate.
The former Prime Minister issued a strong statement to the press, describing the initiative as a deliberate conspiracy by his adversaries. « This is pure political scheming, » Sonko declared. « The constitutional referral is just another tool in their orchestrated campaign. Those who filed this appeal knew full well that the Constitutional Council has no jurisdiction over this matter. »
Beyond the legal confrontation, Sonko warned that his opponents were weaponizing state institutions for partisan gain. He emphasized that any attempt to misuse constitutional bodies would be met with firm resistance. « If they resort to institutional force, we will respond with all legitimate constitutional means at our disposal, » he asserted.
Legal showdown centers on parliamentary eligibility
The dispute hinges on conflicting interpretations of Senegal’s Constitution. A group of lawmakers announced in early June that they had petitioned the highest court to annul Sonko’s reinstatement as a deputy—a decision made by the Assembly Bureau on May 24 following his election in 2024. The challengers argue that Sonko’s appointment as Prime Minister and subsequent election created an irreconcilable conflict of interest from the outset.
Sonko, however, dismissed the claims as baseless, framing the legal offensive as an abuse of process. His response signals a deepening political crisis, with both sides digging in for a prolonged battle over parliamentary legitimacy and institutional power.
