The Front for the Defense of Democracy and the Republic (FDR) has formally requested the removal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko from Senegal’s National Assembly, describing his current parliamentary status as “illegal and illegitimate.” The coalition’s bold stance has intensified political discussions regarding the legitimacy of his position within the legislative body.
In an official statement released on June 3, 2026, the FDR argued that Sonko’s dual role as Prime Minister and deputy violates existing legal provisions. The coalition emphasized that electoral law (Article LO172) clearly states that a minister elected as a deputy must resign from the government within eight days to retain their parliamentary mandate. They contend that recent adjustments to the Assembly’s internal regulations cannot override constitutional and legislative norms.
Political mobilization and legal challenges
The FDR’s call for action has galvanized opposition parties and movements, who have framed the situation as a “parliamentary coup attempt.” Several opposition deputies have escalated the matter by filing a petition with the Constitutional Council, seeking to challenge Sonko’s return to the Assembly. The coalition asserts that the procedures enabling his reinstatement violate fundamental constitutional principles, electoral laws, and the Assembly’s own rules of procedure.
The FDR has urged all stakeholders to defend the integrity of Senegal’s institutions, demanding that the “illegal act” be reversed and that the Prime Minister be immediately withdrawn from parliamentary proceedings. Their statement also calls on civil society to rally in support of constitutional governance and the rule of law.
This political and legal dispute continues to dominate Senegal’s national conversation, with no signs of resolution in sight as both sides dig in their positions.