Amanze Chinonye
A major constitutional dispute has erupted in Senegal after former minister Doudou Ka strongly opposed moves to reinstate former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko into the National Assembly, describing the process as a “parliamentary coup d’état,” Prime Business Africa reports.
The National Assembly is scheduled to hold a full parliamentary session on Tuesday, May 26, where lawmakers are expected to consider Sonko’s reinstatement as a deputy and elect a new Speaker following the resignation of Assembly President El Malick Ndiaye on Sunday.
The development comes amid escalating tensions within Senegal’s ruling coalition after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye removed Sonko as prime minister last week, triggering what observers describe as an intensifying power struggle between the two leaders.
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In a lengthy statement released ahead of the parliamentary sitting, Ka argued that Sonko was never legally installed as a member of parliament under the country’s 15th legislature and therefore cannot be “reintegrated” into an office he never constitutionally occupied.
Ka maintained that while Sonko was permitted to lead the ruling PASTEF party’s list during legislative elections while serving as prime minister, he failed to resign from office after the elections in order to formally validate and assume his parliamentary mandate.
According to Ka, Article 54 of Senegal’s Constitution clearly states that the functions of a government minister are incompatible with the exercise of a parliamentary mandate, making it constitutionally impossible for Sonko to simultaneously remain prime minister and function as a deputy.
“The constitutional path was simple,” Ka said, arguing that Sonko should have resigned as prime minister after the elections, formally taken up his parliamentary seat, and only then returned to government if reappointed.
He claimed Sonko’s failure to follow that process meant his parliamentary mandate never legally began and therefore could not have been suspended or restored under parliamentary rules.
“He could therefore never have been a deputy during the 780 days he was a permanent member of the Government,” Ka stated.
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The former minister further argued that Article 124 of the National Assembly’s 2025 internal rules reportedly being relied upon to justify Sonko’s return cannot override constitutional provisions or be applied retroactively.
“All administrative and legal acts taken by Mr. Ousmane Sonko in the National Assembly on the day of the installation of the 15th legislature are null and void because he was the Prime Minister in office,” Ka added.
He accused the National Assembly of abandoning its constitutional responsibility in favour of political loyalty, warning lawmakers against endorsing what he described as an unconstitutional maneuver.
“On Tuesday, the National Assembly of Senegal is not convened to legislate. It is convened to obey,” Ka declared.
The former minister also appealed directly to President Faye not to validate the process and urged members of parliament to reject the proposed reinstatement.
He further called on Senegal’s Constitutional Council to intervene and uphold constitutional order.
The unfolding dispute is expected to deepen political uncertainty in Senegal, where Sonko continues to wield significant influence through the ruling PASTEF majority in parliament despite his removal from government.
Political analysts say the battle over Sonko’s parliamentary status could become a defining constitutional and political test for President Faye’s administration as tensions continue to grow within the country’s ruling establishment.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
