
Senelec, Senegal's national electricity company, has acquired full ownership of West African Energy WAE, becoming the sole shareholder of the company responsible for the 366-megawatt power plant at Cap des Biches. This move resolves a long-standing dispute among WAE's previous shareholders that had stalled the project. Senelec's stake in WAE increased from 15% to 100%, accompanied by a capital increase from 4 billion to 16 billion CFA francs to strengthen the project's financial foundation. Businessman Harouna Dia, former principal shareholder of WAE, revealed his role in facilitating this resolution. He stated that he approached Senegalese authorities, including Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, to mediate the conflict. Dia met with Prime Minister Sonko in Ouagadougou in May 2025 during an official visit to Burkina Faso, where he advocated for government intervention to resolve the shareholder dispute and restart the project. Dia also mentioned contacting Sonko in December 2024 to discuss the situation, indicating that these discussions helped advance the matter. Prime Minister Sonko reportedly acknowledged Dia's concerns and affirmed his commitment to protecting Senegalese interests in the strategic energy project.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.

During debates on electoral code reforms in the National Assembly, Deputy Abdou Mbow strongly criticized the government's approach, stating it deviates from Senegal's tradition of consensus-based electoral reforms. Mbow asserted that previous electoral code modifications were always preceded by dialogue and consensus-building. He accused the current majority of imposing reforms tailored to allow their "spiritual guide" to be a candidate in 2029. Mbow also criticized the head of state, claiming the President lacked the courage to express disagreement, thereby becoming complicit in what he termed "electoral fraud." He further compared the ongoing institutional reforms, such as those concerning the Constitutional Court, single ballot, and CENA, to mechanisms used in countries that have experienced coups, arguing that Senegal has never needed such measures. Economically and socially, Mbow painted a bleak picture, stating that Senegal's economy is struggling, with high youth unemployment and women facing financial hardship, contrasting this with the country's past state.

Guinean singer Djelykaba Binetou has announced her retirement from the music scene in a Facebook message. She described the decision as "difficult," made after a long period of reflection. Binetou stated that her choice is not due to a lack of passion or determination for music, but rather an accumulation of overwhelming challenges. She cited repeated attacks, traps, and attempts to harm her image, which she finds incompatible with her values. The singer expressed her refusal to continue in an environment where, in her words, "dignity no longer has its place." Binetou also apologized to her fans and thanked her supporters, partners, and close collaborators. This announcement marks an unexpected turn for an artist who was emerging as a prominent voice in African music, leaving uncertainty about a potential future return.
Must ReadThe Kremlin expressed its desire for Mali to return to stability "as soon as possible" following recent attacks by jihadists and Tuareg rebels. These attacks resulted in the death of a minister and the capture of Kidal, a city from which Russian mercenaries had withdrawn. Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated during his daily briefing that it is important for the country to regain a peaceful and stable trajectory quickly. He declined to comment on whether the Africa Corps, a Russian paramilitary force supporting the ruling junta, would be able to control the situation.
Must ReadSix people have been sentenced to life imprisonment by an Abidjan court for their involvement in a 2020 jihadist attack that resulted in the deaths of fourteen Ivorian soldiers. The attack occurred at a border post in Kafolo, northeastern Côte d'Ivoire. According to Me Abdoulaye Ben Méité, lawyer for the civil parties, these six were among 45 defendants tried in the case, and were convicted of "terrorist acts." Additionally, seventeen defendants received 20-year prison sentences and fines of 50 million CFA francs approximately 76,000 euros for secondary roles in the attack. One other accused was sentenced to 5 years for minor participation, while 21 individuals were acquitted. The attack, which took place on the night of June 10-11, 2020, involved armed men targeting a military post in Kafolo, a village near the border with Burkina Faso. Although no group claimed responsibility, the attack was attributed to jihadists operating from Burkina Faso, believed to be in retaliation for the "Comoé" operation by Ivorian and Burkinabe armies to dislodge jihadists from the region. Côte d'Ivoire, a West African coastal nation, shares its northern border with Burkina Faso and Mali, both affected by jihadist groups. The country has largely managed to contain the jihadist threat, with the Kafolo incident being one of the few such violent events it has experienced. Previous attacks include one in March 2021 near the Burkina Faso border, which killed three soldiers, and a March 2016 attack in