Senegal’s constitutional council dismisses Sonko assembly appeal

The Senegalese Constitutional Council ruled on June 17 that it lacked jurisdiction to hear an opposition challenge against the reinstatement of Ousmane Sonko to the National Assembly and his subsequent election as its president. This decision brings to an end legal proceedings initiated by opponents who contested the validity of Sonko’s parliamentary return and presidential election, arguing these actions violated parliamentary rules.

Ousmane Sonko’s path to the National Assembly presidency began when he was reinstated as a deputy shortly after being dismissed as Prime Minister. As leader of the Pastef party, which holds a commanding majority in parliament, Sonko was subsequently elected to lead the legislative body on May 26.

Opposition’s legal challenge rejected

Opposition lawmakers had argued that Sonko’s parliamentary reinstatement breached internal regulations, labeling the process a “constitutional coup”. Their legal challenge has now been definitively blocked following the Constitutional Council’s ruling.

Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from running in the March 2024 presidential election, became Prime Minister in April 2024 after his close ally Bassirou Diomaye Faye won the presidency. As Pastef’s top candidate in the November 2024 legislative elections, he secured 130 out of 165 parliamentary seats but initially chose to remain as head of government rather than take his seat.

Constitutional council’s reasoning

Opposition figures contended that Sonko should have resigned as Prime Minister before regaining his deputy mandate, even temporarily, to comply with parliamentary procedures. However, the majority coalition maintained that Sonko had already lost his parliamentary seat and could not legally reclaim it.

“We will not endorse this charade,” declared opposition deputy Abdou Mbow in late April. With the Constitutional Council’s decision now final, Sonko remains firmly installed as National Assembly president, potentially positioning him as a counterbalance to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, his former political ally with whom relations have since deteriorated.