Senegal president dismisses energy minister

Senegal’s President Macky Sall dismissed his energy minister on Tuesday, the president’s office said in a statement that gave no reason for the sudden move.

Thierno Alassane Sall, an aeronautical engineer by training who is not related to the president but is among his longtime collaborators, had been in the post since 2015.

Senegal is on the verge of a potential oil and gas boom, as newly discovered fields off its Atlantic coastline are expected to begin production within the next decade.

Companies including British-based Cairn Energy and Dallas-based Kosmos Energy have reported a string of successful finds in recent years that could transform Senegal’s agricultural economy.

The energy portfolio will now be managed by Prime Minister Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne, the statement said.

Reuters