Political tensions surge as sonko fights assembly reinstatement
In a dramatic escalation of political hostilities, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the PASTEF party and a prominent figure in Senegal’s parliamentary majority, has sharply criticized a move by opposition and independent deputies to challenge his reinstatement as a member of the National Assembly.
Addressing journalists, Sonko condemned what he described as a premeditated conspiracy orchestrated by his adversaries to block his return to legislative duties. His remarks carried an unmistakable tone of defiance: “They thrive on manipulation and conspiracies. This constitutional referral is just another weapon in their arsenal. Those who filed this appeal knew full well that the matter falls outside the Constitutional Council’s jurisdiction.”
The legal clash centers on a disputed mandate, with opponents invoking Article 54 of the Constitution to demand the nullification of Sonko’s parliamentary seat. Their argument hinges on claims that his appointment as Prime Minister in 2024 followed by his election as a deputy in 2024 created an irreconcilable conflict of interest. The controversy traces back to a June 2026 statement from a group of lawmakers announcing their constitutional challenge against the Assembly Bureau’s May 24 decision to reinstate Sonko as a deputy.
Sonko’s response was unequivocal. “If they deploy state machinery to wage this battle against us, we will respond in kind—mobilizing every constitutional safeguard available to defend our rights.” His warning underscored the high stakes of a confrontation that now pits legislative authority against institutional legitimacy, with both sides digging in for a protracted legal and political struggle.
