Senegal’s Aser scandal: Thierno Alassane Sall exposes government deceit

Government cover-up exposed in Aser scandal

The president of the République des Valeurs party, Deputy Thierno Alassane Sall, has unveiled what he calls irrefutable evidence of a state-level deception in the management of the Agence Sénégalaise d’Électrification Rurale (ASER). In a strongly worded statement shared widely, he points to a confidential memo dated August 26, 2024, signed by former Energy Minister Birame Souleye Diop, as the smoking gun in this alleged cover-up.

The document, according to Sall, reveals that Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was fully aware of financial irregularities involving ASER’s startup advance—allegedly misused to fund SONAC bonuses—yet took no action. The deputy’s allegations suggest a deliberate failure to address warnings before international partners and regulators intervened.

Who benefits from the omertà?

In his critique, Sall questions the government’s response to early alerts about the scandal, highlighting a directive from Sonko declaring there to be ‘zero Aser scandal.’ He demands to know: ‘Who is being protected?’ The leaked correspondence, he argues, strengthens the case for classifying the affair as an association of criminals, a charge already under investigation by the Pool Judiciaire Financier.

The deputy frames the scandal as a critical test for both the justice system and the executive’s proclaimed commitment to Jub Jubal Jubbanti—a campaign slogan emphasizing transparency and accountability.

ASER scandal timeline: key developments

• August 26, 2024: Confidential memo signed by Birame Souleye Diop surfaces, detailing irregularities in ASER’s financial management.
• Early warnings ignored: Multiple alerts about the misuse of startup funds were allegedly dismissed before external scrutiny.
• Sonko’s declaration: The Prime Minister publicly dismissed the scandal as non-existent, raising concerns over a potential cover-up.
• Judicial scrutiny: The Pool Judiciaire Financier is probing the affair, with leaked documents strengthening the case for criminal conspiracy.