In a strongly worded statement issued on June 3, 2026, the FDR formally requested the exclusion of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko from the National Assembly, asserting that his continued presence in the legislative body contradicts established legal provisions. The coalition contends that Sonko’s situation is both unlawful and illegitimate, citing violations of electoral and constitutional statutes.
The FDR’s communiqué highlights a critical legal discrepancy: according to Article LO172 of the Electoral Code, a minister who wins a parliamentary seat must resign from government within eight days or forfeit their mandate. The coalition argues that recent amendments to the Assembly’s internal regulations do not override these constitutional and legislative requirements.
Political mobilization and constitutional challenges
The opposition alliance claims widespread support from multiple political parties and movements, condemning what they describe as a parliamentary coup attempt. Several opposition deputies have reportedly filed a petition with the Constitutional Council, seeking to challenge the legality of Sonko’s parliamentary status.
The FDR emphasizes that the procedures allowing Sonko’s return to the Assembly represent a direct breach of the Constitution, the Electoral Code, and the Assembly’s own rules. The coalition has called for the annulment of these procedures and the immediate removal of the Prime Minister from the legislative body.
In a broader appeal, the FDR has urged civil society and national stakeholders to rally behind the defense of constitutional order, legal frameworks, and the integrity of Senegal’s democratic institutions.
This latest development intensifies an already heated legal and political debate surrounding Ousmane Sonko’s parliamentary role, with far-reaching implications for Senegal’s governance and democratic norms.