Ousmane sonko’s shifting stance on Senegal’s constitutional council
constitutional council: ousmane sonko’s evolving discourse after initial calls for calm
Ousmane Sonko, a prominent political figure in Senegal, has recently demonstrated a striking inconsistency in his public statements regarding the Constitutional Council. Initially advocating for adherence to its rulings, he has now pivoted to sharp criticism. During the inauguration of Pastef’s headquarters in Touba, Sonko openly condemned what he perceives as presidential influence over legislation passed by deputies, characterizing the situation as “grave.”
Ousmane Sonko’s stance on the Constitutional Council appears to have shifted dramatically within a matter of days. Earlier, following the Council’s decision to invalidate a bill adopted by the National Assembly – a text intended to bolster parliamentary prerogatives at the expense of the President’s – the Pastef leader had urged respect for the ruling.
“This decision is binding on all! (…) In a democracy, when institutions play their role, each within its sphere of action, no crisis can arise,” Sonko had previously declared. However, during the inauguration of Pastef’s new headquarters in Touba, the political leader delivered a noticeably different message. Addressing his supporters, he vehemently criticized the decision handed down by the seven members of the Constitutional Council.
“The Constitutional Council cannot dictate that deputies must pass laws solely to please the President of the Republic. What is occurring in this nation is profoundly serious,” he asserted. Ousmane Sonko also questioned President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s frequent appeals to the Constitutional Council. “Every week, he will approach the Constitutional Council,” Sonko remarked, referring to the head of state.
