HIGHLIGHT:  Pencum WARC Panel: Gouvernance des Ressources Extractives au Sénégal: Enjeux et Perspectives (Governance of Extractive Resources in Senegal: Stakes and Prospects)

This panel was held at the West African Research Center (WARC) on Wednesday, December 8^th, 2021 to help the larger public be informed and better understand the major decision made by senegalese high decision-makers with the creation of the Initiative pour la Transparence dans les Industries Extractives au Sénégal (Initiative for Transparency and Accountability in Extractive Industries in Senegal). On the occasion, Pencum WARC invited senegalese high-level experts for a panel chaired by the renowned sociologist and social science researcher, Dr Fatou Sow-Diagne of IFAN (Dakar) and CNRS (France).

First Mr Mamadou Samb, a certified accountant and member of the ITIE Civil Society Committee, was called on to discuss the implementation of ITIE in Senegal. Samb explained that Senegal has been scoring major positive results in the implementation of the initiative and this has been recognized by specialized international bodies.

Dr Moustapha Fall, law professor at UCAD and in charge of legal affairs at ITIE Senegal, discussed the evolution of the legal and institutional framework in the extractive sector in Senegal and unveiled all the legal trappings and pitfalls in the mining and extractive sector to make the public better understand why some developing countries are finding it difficult to take full advantage of their extractive resources.

Mr Elhadj Diallo, an economist member of the ITIE National Committee for the private sector and chairman of the Finance Committee, elaborated on the opportunities and challenges relating to the future exploitation of oil and gas resources in Senegal

It should be noted that the public were spellbound with the in-depth and crystal clear explanations and comments offered by the panel members. Their presentations were followed by observations and questions from the group of 51 people who attended the session (in person and virtually).