Senegal’s Constitutional Council has announced it lacks jurisdiction to rule on a challenge to the reinstatement of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko to the National Assembly. The decision, released Wednesday, concerns a request by opposition lawmakers contesting the May 24th decision by the Assembly’s Bureau to seat Sonko as a deputy. The Council’s published document reveals five members participated in the June 17th session, but notably omits the name of Judge Cheikh Ndiaye. This absence follows recent social media speculation regarding a private meeting between Sonko and Judge Ndiaye on June 5th, while the Council was considering the challenge to Sonko’s mandate. A journalist reported the two-hour meeting raised concerns about potential influence. However, these claims have been disputed, and the Council’s decision avoids addressing the validity of Sonko’s seat directly.