Ousmane Sonko, leader of the Pastef party and former Prime Minister of Senegal, has strongly condemned the opposition’s decision to file a petition with the Constitutional Council. The move aims to overturn his reinstatement as a member of the National Assembly, a decision made by the Assembly’s Bureau on May 24, 2026. Sonko views this as a deliberate attempt to obstruct his political career.

« This is nothing short of political scheming, » Sonko declared. « The opposition has weaponized the Constitutional Council, fully aware that the matter falls outside its jurisdiction. They are exploiting state institutions for their own gain. » He emphasized that such tactics would not go unanswered, warning that his party would deploy all constitutional means to defend itself.

Opposition challenges Sonko’s parliamentary seat

The petition, filed on June 1, 2026, by opposition deputies and independent lawmakers, argues that Sonko’s reinstatement violates the Constitution. At the core of their claim is Article 54, which prohibits holding certain public offices alongside a parliamentary mandate. They contend that Sonko, who served as Prime Minister before being elected to the Assembly in 2024, was ineligible from the moment he took office.

Sonko dismissed these arguments as baseless, insisting that the opposition’s actions were purely political. « If they resort to state power to attack us, we will respond within the framework of the law, » he asserted. The standoff underscores the deepening tensions between Senegal’s political factions as the country grapples with ongoing governance challenges.