Political conspiracy against Ousmane Sonko’s parliamentary reinstatement

Ousmane Sonko accuses opponents of orchestrating a political plot to block his return to parliament

In a tense political confrontation, Ousmane Sonko, leader of the PASTEF party and former Prime Minister, has strongly denounced what he describes as a deliberate political conspiracy aimed at preventing his reinstatement as a deputy in the National Assembly. Speaking to journalists, he framed the recent constitutional challenge as part of a broader strategy by his adversaries to undermine his political influence.

The controversy erupted after a group of opposition lawmakers, joined by independents, filed a petition with the Constitutional Council to annul Sonko’s parliamentary mandate. Their argument centers on the claim that his reinstatement by the Assembly’s Bureau on May 24 violates constitutional provisions—specifically, they allege an incompatibility arising from his dual roles as Prime Minister and elected deputy in 2024.

Sonko dismissed these claims as baseless, asserting that his opponents were weaponizing state institutions for partisan gain. « Their maneuvers are transparent, » he declared. « The filing of this appeal with the Constitutional Council is an abuse of process. Those behind it knew full well this matter falls outside the Council’s jurisdiction. »

The legal battle has intensified as Sonko’s camp prepares to mount a robust defense, warning that any attempt to use state authority against them will be met with a determined legal response. « If they resort to institutional force, » he warned, « we will deploy every constitutional means at our disposal to counter them. »

The dispute underscores a deepening political rift, with Sonko positioning himself as a defender of institutional integrity against what he portrays as partisan manipulation of legal processes.