Political leader Ousmane Sonko has seemingly altered his position concerning the Constitutional Council, a change that appears to have unfolded rapidly over a few days. Following the Council’s decision to invalidate a bill passed by the National Assembly — a text designed to enhance parliamentary powers at the expense of those held by the President of the Republic — the Pastef president had previously urged respect for this very ruling.

“This decision is binding on everyone! (…) In a democracy, when institutions fulfill their roles, each within its sphere of action, no crisis can arise,” Ousmane Sonko had stated. However, during the recent inauguration of the Pastef headquarters in Touba, the prominent political figure delivered a noticeably different address. Speaking to his supporters, he vehemently criticized the judgment issued by the seven members of the Constitutional Council.

“The Constitutional Council cannot dictate that deputies should pass laws solely to please the President of the Republic. What is happening in this nation is serious,” he declared. Ousmane Sonko further challenged the Head of State’s frequent appeals to the Constitutional Council. “Every week, he refers matters to the Constitutional Council,” he asserted, directly referencing President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.