Non-affiliated MP Thierno Alassane Sall (TAS) calls on the authorities to address the difficulties facing the Senegalese people. TAS also criticizes Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s political approach through his monthly appearances before MPs. He also calls on the regime to rigorously manage its oil and gas resources.

MP Thierno Alassane Sall (TAS) faced the press yesterday to comment on the country’s political news, addressing the battles he has waged at the highest levels of government. TAS has not been kind to the current regime. The president of the Republic of Values ​​(Rv) party said he was disgusted by the new regime’s approach. « I wonder how a serious state can trample on emergencies by turning a deaf ear to workers’ demands, by keeping quiet about what’s happening at university with this observed delay in studies, but also and especially with this dying economy, » the MP wondered. He added: « A regime led by a party that brings together incapable, incompetent, talkative, and spiteful people. »

Taking advantage of Ousmane Sonko’s recent statements, which he considers an ideal opportunity to reveal more about himself to the Senegalese people, TAS highlighted the government’s limitations in addressing citizens’ real concerns. He particularly highlighted the persistent difficulties in the construction, fishing, security, health, and education sectors.

According to him, the Questions to the Government sessions should allow the Prime Minister to outline his strategies for resolving these problems. However, these exchanges too often turn into platforms for attacking the opposition, to the applause of a parliamentary majority fully committed to its cause, according to TAS.

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He also challenged the Prime Minister, confronting him with his contradictions: « One cannot claim to be a follower of Cheikh Anta Diop and, at the same time, quote Idi Amin Dada, especially in such a serious context. » He pointed out certain statements deemed worrying, such as: « freedom of expression is guaranteed, but we cannot guarantee freedom after expression, » or: « My party does not insult, but rolls up its sleeves to kick you. » These remarks, according to TAS, profoundly question the republican conception defended by the current head of government. He reiterated that a Prime Minister should not be partisan, and that in a Republic, offenses and disputes must be settled in the courts, not in the public square.

Addressing the issue of hydrocarbons, Thierno Alassane Sall detailed his past positions, asserting that they were guided solely by Senegal’s strategic interests. He recounted several notable events, supported by witnesses: « I hate self-aggrandizement, but I am the only Minister of Energy to have withdrawn four oil permits from the hands of speculators, including Frank Timis. This permit was subsequently awarded to Total, » he declared.

He also recalled that he had initiated the procedure aimed at recovering the 30% stake held by Frank Timis in the GTA project, a process that ultimately remained unfinished. It was this opposition to the approval of the transaction between BP and Timis, on this famous 30%, that led to his resignation, the signing of the CRPP with Total being only subsidiary. He now calls on the new authorities to pursue this path with rigor, instead of peddling untruths against those who worked, with integrity, to defend Senegal’s interests.

By Abdou Latif MANSARAY / latifmansaray@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH