Sonko calls emergency session as constitutional crisis looms in Senegal

The parliamentary recess has been cut short in Senegal as National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko convenes an urgent meeting of lawmakers. Scheduled for this Friday at 3 PM, the emergency session follows the Constitutional Council’s decision to strike down Law No. 18/2026, which proposed sweeping constitutional reforms.

While legislators had officially entered recess on June 30, Sonko’s sudden recall signals deepening political tensions. The call for an emergency assembly comes just days after the Council’s ruling, raising questions about the government’s next moves and the future of constitutional amendments in the country.

Sonko initially responded with measured statements, acknowledging the binding nature of the Constitutional Council’s decision. Yet the abrupt resumption of parliamentary activity suggests underlying strategic calculations within the ruling majority. Analysts suggest the move may aim to either salvage key provisions of the rejected law or prepare an alternative legislative pathway.

With the political landscape shifting rapidly, Friday’s session could set the tone for how Senegal navigates this constitutional impasse. The outcome may influence not only the government’s reform agenda but also public confidence in institutional processes.