FDR demands Ousmane Sonko’s removal from the national assembly

The Front for the Defense of the Republic (FDR) issued a public statement this Wednesday, insisting on the removal of Ousmane Sonko from the National Assembly. Led by figures like Khalifa Sall, the coalition describes Sonko’s continued presence as “illegal and illegitimate.”

In the declaration, endorsed by its Conference of Leaders, the FDR first acknowledged the widespread support from 147 political parties and movements. These groups had previously signed a joint statement on May 24, condemning what the FDR labels an “attempted parliamentary coup” by PASTEF. The coalition also praised the opposition deputies for formally referring the matter to the Constitutional Council, highlighting a commitment to constitutional processes in African politics.

Furthermore, the coalition bases its arguments on Article LO172 of the Electoral Code. This provision stipulates that any minister elected as a deputy automatically forfeits their mandate if they fail to resign from the government within eight days. The FDR contends that PASTEF attempted to circumvent this crucial legal requirement by amending the internal rules of the National Assembly. However, the FDR asserts that this maneuver is unconstitutional on two key fronts. Firstly, Article 54 of the Constitution mandates that any such return to parliamentary duties must be governed by an organic law, integrated into the Electoral Code itself, rather than being discreetly embedded within internal regulations. Secondly, the adopted amendment introduces the concept of “deputy substitutes,” a category unrecognized under Senegalese law outside of specific departmental majority and proportional electoral systems. The FDR firmly believes that PASTEF has simultaneously violated the Constitution, the Electoral Code, and the internal rules of the Assembly, whose mandate is strictly limited to organizing the institution’s internal operations, as outlined in its first article. This situation underscores significant developments in pan-African journalism regarding governance.

In a rallying cry, the FDR urges all active forces within the nation to unite behind a “combat action plan” designed to ensure the rigorous enforcement of the Republic’s laws and constitutional integrity.