The Front for the Defence of Democracy and the Republic (FDR) on Wednesday criticized Ousmane Sonko’s presence in the National Assembly, asserting that the Pastef leader occupies his parliamentary seat “illegally and illegitimately.” The FDR, in a statement released by its Conference of Leaders, declared that Sonko "cannot be a member of parliament," insisting that this “illegal act must be imperatively overturned."
The organisation stated that Senegalese law only recognises lists of members of parliament and substitute members elected by majority vote or proportional representation. The FDR emphasized that "the Constitution of Senegal and its laws must be respected. There is no other way to safeguard our coexistence in peace and security.”
Legal Basis for Challenge
The Front for the Defence of Democracy and the Republic (FDR) cited Article LO172 of the Electoral Code, which mandates that a minister elected as a member of parliament must resign from the government within eight days to retain their parliamentary seat. The FDR stated, "He cannot be a member of parliament," and insisted that this "illegal act must be imperatively overturned." The organization further elaborated that "The Constitution (Article 54), on this point, is surgically precise: to organise the return of a minister who was a member of parliament before becoming a member of the government — which is not the case for Mr Ousmane Sonko — an organic law is required, which should, logically, be inserted, like all provisions relating to the election of members of parliament, into the Electoral Code."
The FDR also denounced what it described as a "shameful" attempt to integrate a provision of an organic law into the Assembly’s internal regulations. According to the FDR, this maneuver violated the Electoral Code by addressing the matter of substitute members of parliament. They asserted that "Senegalese law only recognises lists of members of parliament and lists of substitute members elected by majority vote within the departmental jurisdiction or by proportional representation." The organization concluded by emphasizing, "The Constitution of Senegal and its laws must be respected. There is no other way to safeguard our coexistence in peace and security. The continuation of our collective journey as a republic depends on it."
Broader Opposition Support
Broader support for challenging Ousmane Sonko's parliamentary status emerged with 147 political parties and movements signing a manifesto on May 24. The manifesto denounced Sonko's presence as an "outrage." The Front for the Defence of Democracy and the Republic (FDR) welcomed the referral of the matter to the Constitutional Council by opposition members of parliament.
The FDR stated that its actions are "directed solely against those who are intent on undermining the nation’s foundations and causing it to lose the essential elements of its democratic gains." The organization reiterated its position that "Senegalese law only recognises lists of members of parliament and lists of substitute members elected by majority vote within the departmental jurisdiction or by proportional representation." The FDR emphasized that "The Constitution of Senegal and its laws must be respected. There is no other way to safeguard our coexistence in peace and security. The continuation of our collective journey as a republic depends on it."
FDR's Call to Action
The Front for the Defence of Democracy and the Republic (FDR) has called for the imperative overturning of what it describes as the National Assembly's "illegal act" and demanded the expulsion of Ousmane Sonko from the chamber. The organization stated its actions are "directed solely against those who are intent on undermining the nation’s foundations and causing it to lose the essential elements of its democratic gains." According to the FDR, "He cannot be a member of parliament," and insisted that this "illegal act must be imperatively overturned." The FDR further elaborated on the legal framework, stating, "The Constitution (Article 54), on this point, is surgically precise: to organise the return of a minister who was a member of parliament before becoming a member of the government — which is not the case for Mr Ousmane Sonko — an organic law is required, which should, logically, be inserted, like all provisions relating to the election of members of parliament, into the Electoral Code."
The FDR reiterated its position that "Senegalese law only recognises lists of members of parliament and lists of substitute members elected by majority vote within the departmental jurisdiction or by proportional representation." The organization emphasized the necessity of upholding the rule of law, stating, "The Constitution of Senegal and its laws must be respected. There is no other way to safeguard our coexistence in peace and security. The continuation of our collective journey as a republic depends on it."
