Senegal political crisis: opposition demands Ousmane Sonko’s removal from parliament

The Front for the Defense of Democracy and the Republic (FDR) has formally requested the removal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko from the National Assembly, arguing that his continued presence in the legislative body violates legal provisions.

In an official statement released on June 3, 2026, the FDR declared Ousmane Sonko’s position in the Assembly to be both illegal and illegitimate, citing concerns over his dual status as a sitting deputy and head of government. The coalition contends that Senegalese electoral law explicitly prohibits individuals from holding both ministerial and parliamentary mandates simultaneously.

The opposition group further accused political actors of attempting a parliamentary coup by enabling Sonko’s return to the Assembly, emphasizing that constitutional and legislative frameworks must take precedence over any internal parliamentary rule changes.

Political mobilization and legal challenges

The FDR’s call has galvanized opposition parties and civil society groups, who have joined forces to contest what they describe as an unconstitutional maneuver. Several deputies have filed a petition with the Constitutional Council, seeking to annul the procedural irregularities that allowed Sonko’s reinstatement as a deputy.

The coalition specifically points to Article LO172 of the Electoral Code, which mandates that ministers elected as deputies must resign from government within eight days of their election or forfeit their parliamentary seat. The FDR argues that recent amendments to the Assembly’s internal regulations cannot override these statutory requirements.

In their communiqué, opposition leaders urged all citizens to rally in defense of democratic institutions, stressing the need to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and existing laws. The group has vowed to pursue all legal avenues to ensure Sonko’s removal from the Assembly, warning that failure to act would set a dangerous precedent for institutional integrity.

The ongoing legal and political debate surrounding Ousmane Sonko’s parliamentary status continues to dominate public discourse in Senegal, with far-reaching implications for the country’s governance framework.