While the political-judicial field in Senegal is more than agitated. The Senegalese people are faced with an unprecedented story involving Deputy Ousmane Sonko, leader of Pastef. The politician is accused by Adji Sarr, a masseur from the Sweet Beauty salon, of repeated sexual assault with weapons.Thursday, February 11, after hours of consultations, the National Assembly is in favour of lifting the parliamentary immunity of the number UN opponent of the ruling power, that of President Macky Sall. This formidable opponent, who came third in the 2011 presidential election, cries out for conspiracy.According to, all this is only a state machination for its political elimination from the electoral ring of 2024. So what do the texts on parliamentary immunity say according to the rules of procedure of the Chamber?
Article 51: No Member may be prosecuted, sought, arrested, detained or tried on the occasion of opinions or votes cast by him in the performance of his duties. The Deputy shall be covered by immunity from the commencement of his term of office, which shall take effect as soon as the results of the legislative election are announced by the Constitutional Council.
No Member may, during sessions, be prosecuted or arrested in criminal or correctional matters except with the authorization of the Assembly.
A deputy caught in the act or on the run, after the commission of criminal acts, may be arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned without the authorization of the Bureau of the National Assembly. No Member of the National Assembly may be arrested outside the session without the authorisation of the Bureau of the National Assembly, except in the case of flagrante delicto as provided for in the preceding paragraph or in the case of a definitive criminal conviction.
The prosecution of a Deputy or his detention by reason of such prosecution shall be suspended if the Assembly so requests. A Deputy who is the subject of a final criminal conviction shall be removed from the list of Deputies of the National Assembly at the request of the Minister of Justice.
