The emergency judge of the Supreme Court in Senegal has declined to rule on the urgent appeal concerning Ousmane Sonko’s reinstatement as a deputy, asserting that the matter falls under the internal affairs of the parliamentary institution. This decision follows a challenge lodged by the Union nationale des indépendants du Sénégal, contesting the validity of the procedure that allowed the Pastef leader to reclaim his parliamentary seat prior to his presidential election.

parallel legal proceedings deepen the impasse

The Supreme Court’s stance mirrors that of the Constitutional Council, which in June refused to examine a similar appeal filed by eighteen opposition deputies. The Council ruled that the contested act did not directly relate to the electoral process, thereby falling outside its jurisdiction over national election disputes. With two high courts now declining to rule on the merits of the case, the legal uncertainty surrounding Sonko’s parliamentary status persists.

opposition voices frustration over judicial gridlock

Amadou Guèye, Sonko’s lawyer, has sharply criticized the Supreme Court’s decision, describing it as a breach of confidence and a catalyst for legal disorder. His remarks echo broader criticisms from jurists and opposition leaders, who have long condemned the perceived judicial void surrounding the case. Sonko himself has framed the repeated legal challenges as a politically motivated conspiracy aimed at undermining his position, accusing his adversaries of pursuing a purely partisan agenda rather than a legal one.

While the emergency judge has refrained from ruling on the matter, the outcome of the full appeal remains pending. This unresolved legal limbo continues to fuel tensions between Sonko’s parliamentary majority and a segment of the opposition, which has yet to secure a favorable ruling despite its persistent legal maneuvers.