Sonko accuses opponents of orchestrating political conspiracy to block his return
Ousmane Sonko, leader of the PASTEF party and a prominent figure in Senegalese politics, has fiercely rejected an opposition-led constitutional challenge aimed at overturning his reinstatement as a member of parliament. The move, spearheaded by dissident lawmakers, has been condemned by Sonko as a calculated political maneuver designed to derail his legislative career.
Addressing reporters, Sonko alleged that his adversaries were engaged in deliberate subterfuge, accusing them of weaponizing legal institutions to serve their own interests. « Their tactics reveal a clear pattern of manipulation, » he declared. « The constitutional complaint they filed was never about legality—it was about silencing a political voice. »
Sonko went further to warn that such attempts to exploit state mechanisms for partisan gain would be met with uncompromising resistance. « If they insist on wielding institutional power as a weapon, » he cautioned, « we will deploy every constitutional tool at our disposal to defend our rights. »
Legal battle escalates over parliamentary eligibility
The controversy stems from a constitutional petition filed by a coalition of opposition and independent legislators. Their argument centers on Article 54 of the national constitution, which they claim prohibits Sonko’s parliamentary mandate. The group claims his reinstatement on May 24 by the National Assembly Bureau violates constitutional norms, citing an alleged conflict of interest following his dual roles as Prime Minister and elected deputy in 2024.
The petitioners insist that Sonko’s situation breached constitutional provisions from the moment of his election. In response, Sonko dismissed their claims as baseless, framing the legal confrontation as an orchestrated assault on democratic principles. « This isn’t about the law—it’s about power, » he asserted. « They seek to erase the will of the people through technicalities. »
