Thierno Alassane Sall: Demands ASER Fonds Transparence on 91 Billion Contract

• Parliamentarian Thierno Alassane Sall has raised serious concerns regarding the management of public funds allocated to the Agence Sénégalaise d'Électrification Rurale (ASER).
• He highlighted a 91 billion FCFA rural electrification contract between ASER and AEE Power, noting that 37 billion FCFA has already been disbursed.
• Sall characterized any potential embezzlement of these funds, intended for rural electrification, as an "economic, social, and moral crime."
• He is demanding full transparency, a comprehensive investigation, and genuine accountability for the use of these public resources.
• Sall also suggested a political effort to limit the scope of the ASER affair and called for broader societal engagement in public fund management.

He articulated a strong stance, declaring that any misappropriation of public funds intended to bring electricity to hundreds of thousands of Senegalese citizens would constitute an "economic, social, and moral crime."

Thierno Alassane Sall, a prominent parliamentarian, recently engaged in discussions with Alioune Tine and other officials from Afrikajom Center on Friday. While their agenda broadly covered the democratic landscape and public liberties within Senegal and the wider sub-region, including praise for the organization's human rights advocacy and its stance on extrajudicial killings in Guinea, a significant portion of their conversation focused on the Agence Sénégalaise d'Électrification Rurale (ASER).

Sall voiced considerable apprehension regarding the management of public funds allocated for rural electrification. He specifically highlighted concerns over the ultimate destination of these crucial resources, emphasizing that the ASER case demands thorough clarification.

At the heart of these concerns is a substantial rural electrification contract between ASER and the Spanish firm AEE Power, valued at 91 billion FCFA. Reports indicate that a significant portion of this amount, specifically 37 billion FCFA, has already been disbursed, fueling calls for greater transparency regarding the use of these funds.

For Thierno Alassane Sall, the need for transparency surrounding the ASER dossier is not merely procedural but an imperative driven by the profound social implications of rural electrification funding. He articulated a strong stance, declaring that any misappropriation of public funds intended to bring electricity to hundreds of thousands of Senegalese citizens would constitute an "economic, social, and moral crime."

Sall is advocating for a comprehensive investigation into the entire matter, demanding that light be shed on all aspects of the case. He insists on a genuine process of accountability for the management of these public resources. The parliamentarian underscored that any financial irregularities concerning funds dedicated to rural electrification would inevitably have direct and detrimental consequences for the beneficiary populations, who rely on these projects for development and improved living conditions.

Beyond the immediate financial concerns, Thierno Alassane Sall also expressed his belief that there is a discernible political effort to contain the scope of the ASER affair. He characterized this as a "manifest political will to circumscribe" the issue, suggesting attempts to limit its full examination.

In response, Sall has called for a broader societal mobilization to uphold responsibility in the management of public finances. He stresses the critical importance of ensuring that funds, particularly those earmarked for vital public services like rural electrification, are utilized transparently and effectively, reinforcing the principle of reddition comptes gestion deniers publics Sénégal.

Lawyers advising clients on public procurement or infrastructure projects in Senegal should note the increased political pressure for transparency and accountability regarding ASER's 91 billion FCFA contract with AEE Power. This signals a heightened risk of investigations into financial irregularities and public fund management, necessitating rigorous compliance and due diligence for any entities involved in similar government contracts.

Source: Original reporting via Leral.net