Another legal setback for Ousmane Sonko in his standoff with Mame Mbaye Niang. On July 1, the Supreme Court, sitting in joint chambers, rejected the appeal filed by his lawyers. The decision sparked anger and incomprehension among supporters of the Pastef leader, who has since become prime minister.
Sonko’s lawyers cited a “procedural error” to challenge the previous ruling. But the high court dismissed the argument, ruling that it was in fact merely an attempt to reopen the case on its merits.
Four grievances were put forward: the late rejection of an objection to the constitutionality of Article 260 of the Penal Code, the absence of mandatory referral after cassation, an alleged distortion of the summons, and the addition of a reference to the enforcement of the ruling.
After reviewing the case, the Court ruled that none of these points constituted a genuine procedural error. Sonko’s appeal was therefore dismissed, closing a sensitive chapter in a case that continues to weigh heavily on the political landscape.
