The Alliance Jëf Jël party, led by Talla Sylla, has issued a statement acknowledging the Constitutional Council’s decision number 5/C/2026, handed down on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. The decision followed a petition filed on 1 June by eighteen opposition members of parliament. The lawmakers sought to annul the National Assembly Bureau’s decision of 24 May 2026, which admitted Ousmane Sonko as a deputy. As a political party deeply committed to the rule of law, Jëf Jël reaffirms its absolute respect for judicial rulings. Constitutional Council decisions are binding on all public authorities and administrative and jurisdictional bodies, the statement said.
However, Jëf Jël provided the following essential clarifications:
1. A declaration of incompetence is not a stamp of constitutionality. Contrary to the misinformation some might spread, the Constitutional Council did not validate Mr Ousmane Sonko’s reinstatement. The justices merely declared themselves incompetent to judge the lawfulness of that act. As a prominent legal voice rightly noted, the high court chose the comfort of incompetence, refusing to rule on the fundamental constitutional question of incompatibility and the conditions for exercising a parliamentary mandate.
2. A clear path to the administrative judge. Far from closing the case, the Constitutional Council performed a major legal act. In its reasoning, it expressly described the National Assembly Bureau’s decision as an internal administrative act, arguing that it does not directly participate in the electoral process. In doing so, the constitutional judge itself indicated the competent jurisdiction for this matter: the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court.
3. A call to continue the legal fight. Jëf Jël believes there is no imminent danger as long as the compass remains the law and the battlefield remains the courtroom of our institutions. Where some might be tempted by an empty-chair policy or other types of struggle, we choose the strength of the law. Consequently, Jëf Jël solemnly calls on the requesting deputies not to give up and to promptly file an appeal for abuse of power before the Supreme Court. Only parliamentarians today have the necessary standing to wage this final battle for the dignity of the National Assembly. The fight for the Republic is a legal and political marathon.
Finally, the Jëf Jël alliance pledged to remain vigilant, standing, and alongside all democrats who reject institutional power grabs.
