The dispute between the Senegalese Agency for Rural Electrification (ASER) and the Spanish firm AEE Power has re-emerged as a central topic in Dakar’s political discourse. Thierno Alassane Sall, president of La République des valeurs and a National Assembly deputy, openly accuses the ruling Pastef party of hypocrisy 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 uses the term ‘duplicity,’ a word rarely heard in local parliamentary discussions.
Rural electrification contract becomes a state affair
The agreement connecting ASER with AEE Power involves a substantial 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 funds disbursed, and the actual deliveries have been subject to public scrutiny. This contention escalated into a political issue when Pastef officials, prior to assuming power, highlighted the case as a prime example of poor governance under the previous administration.
Now in positions of authority, these same individuals are tasked with managing the contractual legacy and upholding the Senegalese state’s commitments to its Spanish partner. Thierno Alassane Sall’s primary objective is to underscore this shift. He argues that the current majority’s position directly contradicts the stances articulated during the electoral campaign and in the initial weeks following the change in government.
Thierno Alassane Sall’s critique of Pastef
Known for his firm stance on energy matters, the former minister believes 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 contradiction between promises of systematic audits for opaque contracts and the cautious approach adopted concerning AEE Power. The deputy suggests an inconsistent handling of inherited dossiers, which he fears could undermine the credibility of the ‘rupture’ narrative promoted since March 2024.
Thierno Alassane Sall also questions the official communication surrounding the dispute. He claims that the lack of clarity regarding a potential termination timeline, potential penalties, and the status of payments already made fuels suspicion. The opposition figure demands full disclosure before the National Assembly, asserting that it is the legitimate body to resolve a disagreement involving public funds and the international reputation of the Senegalese state.
An issue of sovereignty and contractual credibility
Beyond the political skirmish, the ASER/AEE Power case raises fundamental questions for Senegal’s energy sector. Rural electrification is a critical, multi-billion CFA franc undertaking, essential for bridging territorial inequalities in access to electricity. Any abrupt contract termination risks exposing the state to costly international arbitration proceedings, mirroring other extractive cases handled by ICSID in recent years.
For technical and financial partners closely observing the nation’s trajectory, how the new authorities manage this dispute will serve as a crucial test. A transparent resolution would enhance Senegal’s sovereign standing with lenders and foreign companies. Conversely, a management approach perceived as politically motivated could increase the cost of future financing and complicate the attractiveness of public energy markets.
Thierno Alassane Sall’s intervention comes as the executive branch is pursuing an accountability strategy targeting officials from the former majority. By highlighting Pastef’s perceived contradictions regarding AEE Power, the former minister shifts the focus of the debate to the current administration’s practices. The next steps will depend on the documents the relevant National Assembly committee agrees to make public and ASER’s official positions in the coming weeks. The deputy continues to demand complete transparency on this sensitive matter.