Mali's Dam Debt Crisis: A Power Struggle with Regional Impact

Mali is grappling with a significant financial challenge, owing more than $94 million to the operator of a critical dam that supplies electricity also to Senegal and Mauritania. The debt issue has escalated to a matter that could threaten the continuity of power supply and the dam's operation.

The Manantali dam, operational since 2002, plays a pivotal role in regional energy distribution, with Mali receiving more than half of the power generated. SOGEM, the managing entity, expressed urgency in resolving the debt, stating it poses a 'life and death' situation for their installations.

Amidst political transitions following recent coups, the financial liability compounds Mali's existing electricity supply challenges, impacting the support for its military government. The broader economic and political disengagement from ECOWAS adds another layer of complexity to the crisis.

(With inputs from agencies.)