In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, members of the opposition in the Senegal National Assembly have filed an urgent legal challenge against the reinstatement of former minister Ousmane Sonko as a deputy. The move comes just days after his controversial dismissal from the government, raising serious questions about the legality of his parliamentary comeback.

Legal battle over parliamentary eligibility

The opposition coalition argues that Ousmane Sonko‘s reappearance on the National Assembly benches violates established parliamentary procedures. Their appeal to the Constitutional Council centers on the grounds that his removal from government should have automatically disqualified him from legislative duties, sparking a constitutional dispute over the interpretation of eligibility rules.

Institutional friction reaches new highs

The dispute has intensified an already volatile political climate in Senegal, with both sides digging in their heels. Critics of the government contend that the reinstatement represents an abuse of power, while supporters view it as a necessary correction to maintain democratic continuity. The timing of the legal challenge—just days after Sonko‘s dismissal—suggests the opposition is leveraging the moment to maximize political pressure ahead of upcoming legislative sessions.

The Constitutional Council now faces a critical decision that could set a precedent for how parliamentary eligibility is interpreted in future cases of ministerial turnover.

By Boureima Amadou — Reporter