The contentious matter involving the Senegalese Agency for Rural Electrification (ASER) and the Spanish firm AEE Power has reignited political debate in Dakar. Thierno Alassane Sall, leader of La République des valeurs and a member of the National Assembly, has publicly accused the ruling party, Pastef, of exhibiting a double standard regarding this rural electrification agreement. The contract has become a symbol of the friction between Senegal’s executive branch and a segment of its political class. The former Minister of Energy explicitly used the term “duplicity,” a word rarely heard in the local parliamentary discourse.

A rural electrification agreement elevated to state concern

The agreement between ASER and AEE Power encompasses an extensive initiative to electrify numerous Senegalese villages, aiming to connect thousands of communities to the national grid. For several months, the precise execution of the project, the disbursed funds, and the actual deliveries have been subjects of public scrutiny. This dispute escalated politically when key figures within Pastef, prior to their ascension to power, had highlighted this very contract as a prime example of poor governance under the previous administration.

Now holding governmental responsibilities, these same individuals are tasked with managing the inherited contractual obligations and upholding the Senegalese state’s commitments to its Spanish partner. Thierno Alassane Sall aims to underscore this shift in perspective. He argues that the current majority’s position starkly contradicts the views expressed during their election campaign and in the initial weeks following the change in government.

Thierno Alassane Sall’s critique of Pastef

A prominent figure known for his firm positions on energy matters, the former minister contends that the party led by Ousmane Sonko and supported by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye can no longer hide behind an opposition posture. He points to a clear inconsistency between their pledges for systematic audits of contracts deemed opaque and the cautious approach now taken with AEE Power. The deputy suggests that the handling of inherited dossiers is inconsistent, potentially undermining the credibility of the “rupture” narrative promoted since March 2024.

Thierno Alassane Sall also challenges the official communication surrounding the dispute. He believes that the lingering ambiguities regarding a potential termination timeline, the penalties that might be incurred, and the status of payments already made fuel suspicion. The opposition leader demands clarification from the National Assembly, asserting that it remains the legitimate body to resolve a disagreement that involves public funds and the international reputation of the Senegalese state.

An issue of sovereignty and contractual integrity

Beyond the political sparring, the ASER/AEE Power dossier raises fundamental questions for Senegal’s energy sector. Rural electrification is a critical, multi-billion CFA franc undertaking, essential for reducing regional disparities in access to electricity. Any sudden contract termination risks exposing the state to costly international arbitration proceedings, similar to other extractive cases handled by ICSID in recent years.

For the technical and financial partners monitoring the nation’s progress, how the new authorities manage this dispute will serve as a crucial test. A transparent resolution would bolster Senegal’s sovereign credibility with donors and foreign enterprises. Conversely, a management perceived as politically driven could inflate the cost of future financing and complicate the attractiveness of public energy markets.

Thierno Alassane Sall’s intervention occurs as the executive branch champions an accountability strategy targeting officials from the former ruling coalition. By highlighting Pastef’s alleged inconsistencies on the AEE Power issue, the former minister redirects the focus of the debate toward the current administration’s practices. The subsequent developments will depend on the documents that the relevant National Assembly committee agrees to release publicly and ASER’s official positions in the coming weeks.