DAKAR — Senegal’s Constitutional Council has declined to hear an opposition petition challenging the reinstatement of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to parliament, in a ruling that effectively upholds his return to the legislative body where he now serves as speaker.
The opposition had filed a legal challenge seeking to block Sonko’s reinstatement, arguing that his return to parliament was procedurally and constitutionally flawed following his political fallout with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
However, the country’s top constitutional authority ruled the petition inadmissible, stating that it would not proceed with the case. The decision is final and cannot be appealed under Senegalese law.
Sonko, a prominent opposition figure-turned-government leader, has experienced a dramatic political shift in recent months, moving from confrontation with the executive branch to holding one of the most senior positions in the National Assembly.
The ruling removes one of the last legal avenues available to his opponents to contest his parliamentary role and is expected to further solidify his influence in Senegal’s political landscape.
The dispute comes amid ongoing tensions within Senegal’s ruling coalition, following the breakdown of relations between Sonko and President Faye, once close political allies.
