The Alliance Jëf Jël, led by Talla Sylla, has issued a statement acknowledging the Constitutional Council’s decision n° 5/C/2026 handed down on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. The ruling came in response to a petition filed on 1 June by 18 opposition lawmakers seeking to overturn the National Assembly Bureau’s 24 May 2026 decision that reinstated Ousmane Sonko as a member of parliament.
As a political party firmly committed to the rule of law, Jëf Jël reaffirms its complete respect for judicial rulings. Constitutional Council decisions are binding on all public authorities, administrative bodies, and courts, the party stated.
However, Jëf Jël provided crucial clarifications in three key points:
1. A declaration of incompetence is not a seal of constitutionality
Despite potential misinformation suggesting otherwise, the Constitutional Council did not validate Sonko’s reinstatement. The justices merely declared themselves incompetent to judge the legality of the act. As a prominent legal voice noted, the high court chose the “comfort of incompetence,” avoiding a ruling on the fundamental constitutional question of incompatibility and the conditions for exercising a parliamentary mandate.
2. A clear path to the administrative judge
Far from closing the matter, the Constitutional Council took a major legal step. In its reasoning, it explicitly described the Bureau’s decision as an internal “administrative act,” arguing it does not directly participate in the electoral process. By doing so, the constitutional judge itself indicated the competent jurisdiction: the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court.
3. A call to continue the legal fight
Jëf Jël believes there is no immediate danger as long as the law remains the compass and the courtroom remains the battlefield. While some may be tempted by empty-chair politics or other forms of struggle, the party chooses the strength of the law.
Consequently, Jëf Jël solemnly invites the petitioning MPs not to give up and to file, without delay, an appeal for excess of power (recours pour excès de pouvoir) before the Supreme Court. Only parliamentarians currently have the legal standing to pursue this final battle for the dignity of the National Assembly. The fight for the Republic is a legal and political marathon.
The alliance pledged to remain vigilant, standing alongside all democrats who reject institutional power grabs.
