Opposition lawmakers in Sénégal have announced their formal appeal to the Constitutional Council, seeking to declare the National Assembly Bureau’s decision of May 24, 2026, regarding Ousmane Sonko’s reintegration as a deputy, unconstitutional.
They are urging the Constitutional Council to fully exercise its mandate by putting an end to what they term a “subversion” that “undermines the proper functioning” of the parliamentary institution.
Below is the full statement from the opposition deputies:
The undersigned opposition deputies in the National Assembly wish to inform the Senegalese populace, as well as national and international public opinion, that they have lodged a petition with the Constitutional Council. This petition aims to have the National Assembly Bureau’s decision of May 24, 2026, which reinstated Mr. Ousmane Sonko as a deputy, declared contrary to the Constitution.
Having been appointed Prime Minister and subsequently elected as a deputy in 2024, Mr. Sonko found himself in a situation of incompatibility as defined by Article 54 of the Constitution immediately upon his election. By opting to retain his governmental functions, he effectively renounced his parliamentary mandate, according to both the Constitution and the then-applicable internal regulations. His subsequent reintegration, followed by his election to the presidency of the National Assembly on May 26, 2026, represents a blatant and undeniable violation of the Constitution and the fundamental principle of the separation of powers. Only the Constitutional Council, which serves as the arbiter of parliamentary mandate validity and the regulator of institutions, possesses the authority to prevent such a grave act from escaping scrutiny.
Furthermore, we wish to disclose that we were compelled to resort to judicial summons via a bailiff to obtain the necessary documents for our appeal. These included the official act of Mr. Sonko’s reintegration and the minutes of the plenary session held on 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 provide these crucial documents. This refusal to furnish representatives of the Nation with documents that are inherently public, even when formally requested through a bailiff, constitutes a serious impediment to the rights of deputies and to democratic transparency.
Consequently, we respectfully call upon the Constitutional Council to fully embrace its role by terminating this subversion that jeopardizes the regular operation of the parliamentary institution.
We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to defending the Constitution and Senegalese democracy, utilizing solely legal and peaceful avenues. No majority, regardless of its size, stands above the fundamental law of the Republic.
The undersigned deputies:
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
They are urging the Constitutional Council to fully exercise its mandate by putting an end to what they term a “subversion” that “undermines the proper functioning” of the parliamentary institution.
Below is the full statement from the opposition deputies:
The undersigned opposition deputies in the National Assembly wish to inform the Senegalese populace, as well as national and international public opinion, that they have lodged a petition with the Constitutional Council. This petition aims to have the National Assembly Bureau’s decision of May 24, 2026, which reinstated Mr. Ousmane Sonko as a deputy, declared contrary to the Constitution.
Having been appointed Prime Minister and subsequently elected as a deputy in 2024, Mr. Sonko found himself in a situation of incompatibility as defined by Article 54 of the Constitution immediately upon his election. By opting to retain his governmental functions, he effectively renounced his parliamentary mandate, according to both the Constitution and the then-applicable internal regulations. His subsequent reintegration, followed by his election to the presidency of the National Assembly on May 26, 2026, represents a blatant and undeniable violation of the Constitution and the fundamental principle of the separation of powers. Only the Constitutional Council, which serves as the arbiter of parliamentary mandate validity and the regulator of institutions, possesses the authority to prevent such a grave act from escaping scrutiny.
Furthermore, we wish to disclose that we were compelled to resort to judicial summons via a bailiff to obtain the necessary documents for our appeal. These included the official act of Mr. Sonko’s reintegration and the minutes of the plenary session held on 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 provide these crucial documents. This refusal to furnish representatives of the Nation with documents that are inherently public, even when formally requested through a bailiff, constitutes a serious impediment to the rights of deputies and to democratic transparency.
Consequently, we respectfully call upon the Constitutional Council to fully embrace its role by terminating this subversion that jeopardizes the regular operation of the parliamentary institution.
We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to defending the Constitution and Senegalese democracy, utilizing solely legal and peaceful avenues. No majority, regardless of its size, stands above the fundamental law of the Republic.
The undersigned deputies:
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
