Senegal court rejects UNIS plea to block Sonko assembly presidency

Supreme Court Upholds Ousmane Sonko’s Assembly Leadership as UNIS Vows Further Legal Action

The Union nationale pour l’intégrité et la souveraineté (UNIS) has sharply criticized a ruling from the Supreme Court’s judge for interim relief, which dismissed its request to suspend the installation of Ousmane Sonko as President of the National Assembly. The organization insists it will pursue its case on the merits and has called for the full assembly of the Supreme Court to rule on the dispute.

UNIS Condemns Supreme Court Ruling as a Denial of Justice

In a strongly worded statement released by its president, Amadou Gueye, UNIS described the June 25, 2026 decision as creating a “negative conflict of jurisdiction” and constituting a “denial of justice.” The group had sought both the annulment of an administrative act by the Assembly Bureau and an emergency suspension of its effects.

The legal dispute stems from a June 17, 2026 ruling by the Constitutional Council, which declared itself incompetent, asserting that the contested act was administrative—not legislative—in nature. The Supreme Court’s interim judge, however, upheld the Assembly Bureau’s authority, citing the principle of separation of powers and refusing to intervene in the internal affairs of the legislature.

UNIS Challenges Court’s Interpretation of Separation of Powers

UNIS argues that the Supreme Court’s reasoning is legally flawed. It contends that by classifying the Assembly Bureau’s act as an “administrative act of integration,” the Constitutional Council implicitly recognized the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction over the matter. The organization warns that the refusal to hear the emergency motion leaves the dispute in a legal void, with no court willing to rule on its merits.

UNIS further asserts that the principle of separation of powers cannot be used to shield legislative acts from judicial review. It points to recent decisions by the Constitutional Council, which invalidated parts of a constitutional reform, as evidence that the judiciary retains oversight over acts by other branches when legal questions arise.

Call for Legal Clarity and End to “Lawless Zone”

In its statement, UNIS warns that the Supreme Court’s stance could create a “zone of lawlessness” within the Assembly Bureau, allowing administrative acts to evade judicial scrutiny. Despite the rejection of its emergency request, the movement confirms it will proceed with its annulment case on the merits. It has formally requested that the Supreme Court convene its full assembly to rule on its jurisdiction and resolve what it calls a threat to legal certainty.

The organization urges judges to fully assert their constitutional role in this case, framing it as a pivotal moment for defining the boundaries between Senegal’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches.