Senegalese opposition deputies challenge ousmane sonko’s assembly reintegration at constitutional council
Opposition lawmakers in Sénégal have formally petitioned the Constitutional Council, seeking to declare the National Assembly Bureau’s decision of May 24, 2026, unconstitutional. This contested decision concerns the reintegration of Ousmane Sonko as a parliamentary deputy.
The deputies are urging the Constitutional Council to fully exercise its authority and put an end to what they describe as a “gross misconduct” that “undermines the proper functioning” of the legislative body.
Below is the full statement from the opposition group:
The undersigned opposition deputies within the National Assembly wish to inform the Senegalese public, as well as national and international opinion, that they have submitted a formal request to the Constitutional Council. This petition aims to invalidate, on constitutional grounds, the National Assembly Bureau’s resolution from May 24, 2026, which reinstated Mr. Ousmane Sonko as a deputy.
After being appointed Prime Minister and subsequently elected as a deputy in 2024, Mr. Sonko immediately found himself in a position of incompatibility as stipulated by Article 54 of the Constitution. By opting to retain his governmental responsibilities, he effectively forfeited his parliamentary mandate, according to both the Constitution and the then-applicable internal regulations. His subsequent reintegration, followed by his election as President of the National Assembly on May 26, 2026, represents a clear and egregious breach of the Constitution and the fundamental principle of the separation of powers. The Constitutional Council, as the ultimate arbiter of parliamentary mandate validity and the guardian of institutional integrity, is the sole body capable of preventing such a serious act from escaping scrutiny.
Furthermore, we must disclose that we were compelled to employ bailiff summonses to obtain the necessary documents for our appeal, specifically the act of Mr. Sonko’s reintegration and the minutes from the plenary session of May 26, 2026. Despite being served on June 1, 2026, by Master Abou Sall, a judicial bailiff, both the Secretary-General and the First Vice-President of the National Assembly refused to release these documents. This refusal to provide public documents, even through official channels, to elected representatives of the Nation constitutes a serious obstruction to the rights of deputies and to democratic transparency.
Consequently, we respectfully implore the Constitutional Council to uphold its crucial role by rectifying this abuse of power, which severely compromises the regular operation of our parliamentary institution.
We reiterate our unwavering commitment to defending the Constitution and Senegalese democracy through strictly legal and peaceful avenues. No majority, regardless of its size, stands above the fundamental law of the Republic.
The signatory deputies include:
Daouda Dia
Aïssata Ousmane Diallo
Amadou Diallo
Raqui Diallo
Mamadou Diaw
Salimata Diop Dieng
Mbaye Dione
Thérèse Faye
Barane Fofana
Cheikh Omar Hann
Birima Mangara
Abdou Mbow
Fabineta Ndiaye
Anta Babacar Ngom
Thierno Alassane Sall
Maguette Sène
Abdoulaye Sylla
Tafsir Thioye
The deputies are urging the Constitutional Council to fully exercise its authority and put an end to what they describe as a “gross misconduct” that “undermines the proper functioning” of the legislative body.
Below is the full statement from the opposition group:
The undersigned opposition deputies within the National Assembly wish to inform the Senegalese public, as well as national and international opinion, that they have submitted a formal request to the Constitutional Council. This petition aims to invalidate, on constitutional grounds, the National Assembly Bureau’s resolution from May 24, 2026, which reinstated Mr. Ousmane Sonko as a deputy.
After being appointed Prime Minister and subsequently elected as a deputy in 2024, Mr. Sonko immediately found himself in a position of incompatibility as stipulated by Article 54 of the Constitution. By opting to retain his governmental responsibilities, he effectively forfeited his parliamentary mandate, according to both the Constitution and the then-applicable internal regulations. His subsequent reintegration, followed by his election as President of the National Assembly on May 26, 2026, represents a clear and egregious breach of the Constitution and the fundamental principle of the separation of powers. The Constitutional Council, as the ultimate arbiter of parliamentary mandate validity and the guardian of institutional integrity, is the sole body capable of preventing such a serious act from escaping scrutiny.
Furthermore, we must disclose that we were compelled to employ bailiff summonses to obtain the necessary documents for our appeal, specifically the act of Mr. Sonko’s reintegration and the minutes from the plenary session of May 26, 2026. Despite being served on June 1, 2026, by Master Abou Sall, a judicial bailiff, both the Secretary-General and the First Vice-President of the National Assembly refused to release these documents. This refusal to provide public documents, even through official channels, to elected representatives of the Nation constitutes a serious obstruction to the rights of deputies and to democratic transparency.
Consequently, we respectfully implore the Constitutional Council to uphold its crucial role by rectifying this abuse of power, which severely compromises the regular operation of our parliamentary institution.
We reiterate our unwavering commitment to defending the Constitution and Senegalese democracy through strictly legal and peaceful avenues. No majority, regardless of its size, stands above the fundamental law of the Republic.
The signatory deputies include:
Daouda Dia
Aïssata Ousmane Diallo
Amadou Diallo
Raqui Diallo
Mamadou Diaw
Salimata Diop Dieng
Mbaye Dione
Thérèse Faye
Barane Fofana
Cheikh Omar Hann
Birima Mangara
Abdou Mbow
Fabineta Ndiaye
Anta Babacar Ngom
Thierno Alassane Sall
Maguette Sène
Abdoulaye Sylla
Tafsir Thioye