Ousmane Sonko has markedly altered his stance on the Constitutional Council, a change that appears to have unfolded within a matter of days. Following the Council’s decision to invalidate legislation adopted by the National Assembly – a text intended to bolster parliamentary powers at the expense of presidential prerogatives – the Pastef president had previously urged respect for the ruling.

At that time, Sonko had affirmed, “This decision is binding on all citizens! (…) In a democratic system, when institutions fulfill their designated roles, each operating within its defined sphere of action, the emergence of any crisis becomes impossible.” However, his discourse took a distinctly different turn at the inauguration of Pastef’s premises in Touba. Addressing his supporters, the prominent political figure delivered a scathing critique of the decision handed down by the seven members of the Constitutional Council.

He declared, “The Constitutional Council cannot dictate that deputies must pass laws solely to appease the President of the Republic. What is transpiring in this nation is profoundly concerning.” Ousmane Sonko further challenged the head of state’s frequent recourse to the Constitutional Council, remarking, “He will seize the Constitutional Council every single week,” in a clear reference to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.