National Assembly Speaker Ousmane Sonko has called for full respect for a ruling by Senegal’s Constitutional Council, stressing that its decisions are binding on all citizens and institutions, regardless of differing opinions over the court’s reasoning.

His statement comes after the Constitutional Council struck down a package of constitutional amendments approved by the National Assembly, ruling that the proposed reforms were contrary to the Constitution.

The legislative package included measures to reduce certain presidential powers, strengthen parliament and bar a sitting president from leading a political party. The latter provision attracted particular attention after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye recently announced plans to launch a new political movement.

The Constitutional Council found that the amendments had not been adopted in accordance with constitutional requirements, rendering the reform package unconstitutional.

In a statement issued following the ruling, Sonko acknowledged that while the court’s reasoning may generate debate and differing opinions, its decisions must be respected.

“The Constitutional Council has made its decision. Beyond the comments and opinions that the reasoning behind it may inspire, one thing remains: this decision is binding on everyone.”

Sonko said the episode demonstrated the resilience of Senegal’s democratic institutions when each fulfils its constitutional role.

“This period reminds us that in a democracy, when institutions perform their respective roles within their areas of responsibility, there is no room for crisis.”

He also reassured Senegalese citizens that the National Assembly would continue to fulfil its constitutional mandate, saying lawmakers would continue to debate, adopt or reject legislation in line with the commitments made to the nation.

“Today, I want to assure the Senegalese people that the National Assembly will continue to fully exercise the mission entrusted to it. Laws will be passed or rejected in honour of the commitments made to this brave and dignified people.”

The ruling comes amid an ongoing political rift between President Faye and National Assembly Speaker Sonko, whose once-close alliance has fractured in recent months.

The constitutional reform package formed part of a broader programme of institutional reforms that both leaders had previously championed before relations between the two leaders deteriorated.