Senegal assembly demands removal of Ousmane Sonko from parliament

Opposition coalition challenges Ousmane Sonko’s parliamentary seat

The Front for the Defence of the Republic (FDR) has issued a formal call for the immediate removal of Ousmane Sonko from his position as a deputy in the National Assembly. The coalition, led by figures including Khalifa Sall, has condemned the legitimacy of his parliamentary mandate, branding it both illegal and unjustified.

Coordinated legal and political response against alleged parliamentary coup

The FDR’s statement, endorsed by its Leaders’ Conference, highlights a landmark joint declaration signed on May 24 by 147 political parties and movements. This collective action was framed as a response to what the FDR describes as a parliamentary coup attempt orchestrated by the PASTEF party. The coalition also welcomes the opposition’s decision to submit the matter to the Constitutional Council for review.

Constitutional and electoral violations cited in Sonko’s mandate

The FDR’s legal argument revolves around Article LO172 of the Electoral Code, which states that a government minister elected as a deputy must resign from their ministerial position within eight days or forfeit their parliamentary seat. The coalition argues that PASTEF attempted to bypass this requirement by amending the Assembly’s internal regulations. However, the FDR contends that this move is unconstitutional on two critical grounds:

• Lack of legal framework: The Constitution, under Article 54, requires any such adjustment to be governed by an organic law integrated into the Electoral Code—not hidden within internal Assembly regulations.
• Invalid introduction of ‘deputy substitutes’: The amendment introduces a concept not recognized in Senegalese law outside of departmental and proportional elections, thereby violating both the Constitution and the Electoral Code. The FDR further argues that the Assembly’s internal regulations, as outlined in Article 1, are strictly meant to govern internal operations and cannot override national legislation.

Call for unified national mobilisation

The FDR is urging all sectors of society to rally behind a coordinated action plan aimed at upholding the rule of law and the integrity of Senegal’s democratic institutions. The coalition insists that no individual or party should be permitted to circumvent constitutional and electoral norms, emphasising that the sovereignty of the law must prevail over political expediency.