A coalition of opposition lawmakers in Senegal has escalated its legal battle by filing a petition with the Constitutional Council, urging the body to nullify the National Assembly’s Bureau decision to reinstate Ousmane Sonko as a deputy. The move comes after the controversial reinstatement on May 24, 2026, which they argue violates constitutional principles and disrupts parliamentary order.
The opposition deputies contend that Sonko, who was previously appointed as Prime Minister and later elected as a deputy in 2024, was automatically disqualified from holding both offices under Article 54 of the Constitution. By retaining his government position, he forfeited his parliamentary mandate, they assert. The reinstatement and subsequent election as President of the National Assembly on May 26, 2026 represent a clear breach of constitutional separation of powers, they emphasize.
legal challenges and procedural hurdles
In a bold move to secure evidence for their case, opposition deputies resorted to formal summons via a bailiff to obtain critical documents, including the reinstatement decree and the plenary session minutes from May 26, 2026. However, legal obstacles emerged when the Secretary-General and the First Vice-President of the National Assembly refused to release these public records, citing procedural grounds. This refusal, described as a grave obstruction, infringes on the deputies’ rights and undermines democratic transparency.
The opposition coalition has called on the Constitutional Council to intervene decisively, framing the situation as a constitutional crisis that threatens the integrity of the legislative institution. Their statement underscores an unwavering commitment to defending the Senegalese Constitution and democratic principles through legal and peaceful means. No parliamentary majority, regardless of its size, should be exempt from constitutional scrutiny, they argue.
opposition deputies’ stance
The petition was signed by a diverse group of opposition deputies, including:
- Daouda Dia
- Aïssata Ousmane Diallo
- Amadou Diallo
- Raqui Diallo
- Mamadou Diaw
- Salimata Diop Dieng
- Mbaye Dione
- Thérèse Faye
- Barane Fofana
- Cheikh Omar Hann
- Birima Mangara
- Abdou Mbow
- Fabineta Ndiaye
- Anta Babacar Ngom
- Thierno Alassane Sall
- Maguette Sène
- Abdoulaye Sylla
- Tafsir Thioye
Together, they have vowed to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution over political expediency, signaling a resolute defense of institutional checks and balances in Senegal.
