The judge in charge of urgent matters at the Senegal Supreme Court announced being incompetent to rule on Ousmane Sonko’s status as a deputy, asserting that this issue falls under the internal affairs of the National Assembly. This decision follows a petition filed by the Union nationale des indépendants du Sénégal, contesting the validity of the procedure that allowed the Pastef leader to reclaim his parliamentary seat before ascending to the presidency of the Assembly.
This judicial proceeding adds to a prior ruling by the Constitutional Council, which also declared itself unable to examine a similar appeal submitted last June by eighteen opposition deputies. The Council reasoned that the contested act did not directly relate to the electoral process and thus exceeded its jurisdiction over national election disputes. Now, two distinct high courts—the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Council—have declined to rule on the merits of the case concerning Sonko’s parliamentary return.
In response, lawyer Amadou Guèye sharply criticized the Supreme Court’s stance, describing it as a breach of trust and a source of legal chaos. His remarks echo broader complaints from jurists and opposition leaders who have long argued that this case exposes a dangerous legal void. Meanwhile, Ousmane Sonko has framed the repeated appeals against him as part of a politically motivated conspiracy, dismissing them as maneuvering rather than legitimate legal challenges.
While the urgent application was dismissed, the main appeal remains pending, leaving the final outcome of this legal saga unresolved. The dispute continues to fuel tensions between Sonko’s parliamentary majority and segments of the opposition, who have yet to secure a favorable ruling despite their numerous legal challenges.
