Ousmane Sonko, President of Senegal’s National Assembly, has firmly rejected claims suggesting the legislature issued an ultimatum to the country’s President over the ongoing constitutional review process. In a decisive address to lawmakers, he dismissed the allegations as baseless, emphasizing the procedural legitimacy of the Parliament’s actions.
During a parliamentary session focused on labor and social security codes, Sonko clarified the Assembly’s role in the constitutional amendment process. He underscored that the Parliament’s initiative operates strictly within constitutional boundaries, negating any notion of institutional confrontation with the executive branch. The reform, he asserted, is a long-debated public matter progressing through established legal channels.
« That’s false—we never issued an ultimatum to the president, » Sonko stated, rejecting interpretations that framed the legislative move as pressure on the presidency. He reinforced that the Assembly’s actions adhere to constitutional provisions, with no intent to overstep executive prerogatives. The Assembly’s goal, he explained, is to advance institutional reforms already under public discussion for months.
Constitutional legitimacy and institutional balance
Sonko pointed to a 2006 ruling by Senegal’s Constitutional Council as a key precedent. The decision, he noted, affirms the Assembly’s authority to initiate constitutional amendments with a three-fifths majority. This legal foundation, he argued, ensures the legitimacy of the current process, which he described as a standard exercise of parliamentary power.
Addressing political narratives suggesting institutional friction, Sonko emphasized the absence of any crisis between state powers. Instead, he framed the situation as a natural « dialogue among institutions, » where each body—legislative, executive, and judicial—operates within its constitutional mandate. The Constitutional Council, he added, serves as the ultimate arbiter to prevent any encroachment on powers.
« Those anticipating a crisis at the highest level of government will look in vain, » Sonko remarked, concluding his statement. He reassured that the constitutional review will proceed according to legal provisions, regardless of the executive’s formal stance on the matter. The process, he maintained, remains anchored in stability and constitutional compliance.
