In a statement released today, the Jëf-Jël Alliance led by Talla Sylla acknowledged the Malian Constitutional Council’s decision issued on June 17, 2026, regarding the appeal filed on June 1 by 18 opposition lawmakers. The appeal sought to invalidate the National Assembly Bureau’s May 24, 2026 decision to include Ousmane Sonko as a deputy. As a party committed to the rule of law, Jëf-Jël reaffirmed its unreserved respect for judicial rulings, noting that Constitutional Council decisions are binding on all public authorities and administrative and judicial institutions.
The party also clarified three critical points to dispel misinformation and outline the next legal steps:
1. A declaration of incompetence does not equate to constitutional validation
Contrary to misleading claims, the Constitutional Council did not validate Sonko’s reinstatement. The court merely declared itself incompetent to rule on the legality of the act. Legal experts have described this stance as a retreat into the “comfort of incompetence,” avoiding a definitive ruling on the constitutional validity of his parliamentary mandate.
2. A clear path to the administrative judge
The ruling was not a dead end but a strategic legal maneuver. By classifying the National Assembly Bureau’s decision as an internal administrative act—one not directly tied to the electoral process—the Constitutional Council explicitly designated the Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court as the competent jurisdiction for this matter. This opens the door for a Recours pour Excès de Pouvoir (Abuse of Power Appeal) to challenge the decision.
3. The call to persevere with legal recourse
Jëf-Jël emphasized that the fight for justice must continue through institutional channels, not political grandstanding. While some may advocate for disruptive tactics, the party insists on upholding the law and pursuing legal remedies. It urged the opposition lawmakers to file a Recours pour Excès de Pouvoir with the Supreme Court without delay, asserting that only parliamentarians possess the necessary standing to pursue this final battle for the Assembly’s integrity. The statement concluded with a pledge to remain “vigilant, steadfast, and alongside all democrats who reject institutional coups.”
