SENEGAL ACHIEVES MILESTONE IN RENEWED EFFORT TO ACHIEVE AN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAKAR 001282 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EBB/IFD/ODF, A/EPS AND AF/W TREASURY FOR RHALL AND DPETERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID KMCA ECON EFIN EINV ETRD SG SUBJECT: SENEGAL ACHIEVES MILESTONE IN RENEWED EFFORT TO ACHIEVE AN MCC COMPACT REF: DAKAR 183 DAKAR 00001282 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: By presenting comprehensive concept papers in a timely manner for important projects, including roads, irrigation, and judicial reform, Senegal has achieved an important milestone in its effort to sign an MCC Compact. MCC Vice President John Hewko told the MCA-Senegal Steering Committee, Chaired by the Prime Minister, and separately President Wade, that the MCC is ready to support the next steps on six proposed projects. Hewko also explained that those projects, with an estimated price tag of approximately USD 650 million, would have to be pared down to fit a more realistic budget of approximately USD 400 - 425 million, unless additional resources unexpectedly become available. He added that a Compact signing by September 2009 is attainable, but the government should not consider adding new projects. Both the Prime Minister and President Wade acknowledged these realities and pledged their government's support. END SUMMARY. MCA-SENEGAL PRODUCES HIGH QUALITY CONCEPT PAPERS -------------- --- ¶2. (U) In July and August, Senegal's "Mission de Formulation et de Gestion du MCA Senegal (MFG-MCA)" finalized the concept papers that will form the basis of an eventual MCC Compact. These papers outline ten possible projects for road construction and rehabilitation, improvements in water and irrigation infrastructure, judicial reform measures that include the construction of new "Maisons du Justice" (Houses of Justice) for enhanced, decentralized civil law arbitration and dispute resolution, and contributing to investment fund to promote public-private partnerships for rural energy production. ¶3. (U) These concept papers, developed by Senegalese experts at MFG-MCA, in consultation with MCC staff, provide thorough and detailed economic rationales and initial technical requirements for the projects. MCC staff has described the papers as "world class." In total, the projects outlined in the concept papers have an estimated price tag of more than USD 1 billion. MCC VICE PRESIDENT SCALES-BACK AND OUTLINES NEXT STEPS -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) MCC Vice President for Compact Development, John Hewko, visited Dakar October 27-28 for meetings with senior GOS officials to discuss the concept papers, the MCC's assessment of what projects can be considered, and to explain the next steps for reaching a Compact signing point in 2009. ¶5. (SBU) In an October 28 meeting with the GOS's MCA Steering Committee, which is chaired by Prime Minister Soumare and includes senior government officials (nine ministers, plus Senegal's Ambassador to the U.S. were present) and observers from civil society, Hewko explained that the MCC would not consider the energy projects, and had decided to specifically focus on two roads projects, three irrigation projects, and the judicial reform proposal. All of these projects would benefit Senegal's rural development and assist with economic decentralization. He noted that the estimated cost of these six projects was approximately USD 650 million, and that it was unlikely that the MCC budget for Senegal would match that amount. Hewko explained that MFG-MCA, in close consultation with the MCC, should target a Compact package with an investment requirement closer to USD 400 million. Hewko added that the actual budget would not be known for some time, given the transition to a new administration, and that, in the end it is possible that Senegal could receive a larger budget -- however prudence dictates a conservative estimation of the funds available. ¶6. (SBU) Mr. Hewko outlined for the Steering Committee the next steps in Compact development: -- further prioritization of projects is needed given the budget realities; -- feasibility studies -- including environmental impact assessments and development population relocation plans -- and further technical analysis will be required; -- MCC will complete a technical review of the final projects; -- MCC will present an Investment Memo to its Investment Committee and Board of Directors; -- MCC's Board of Directors will approve the proposed Compact; -- Congress reviews the Compact; DAKAR 00001282 002.2 OF 002 -- a Compact signing event is organized. ¶7. (SBU) Given that these significant technical and administrative steps need to be completed, Hewko told the Steering Committee that if all goes well, a Compact with Senegal could be signed by the end of the FY '09 fiscal year, which ends on September 30. ¶8. (U) By mutual agreement, no estimate of the likely budget for Senegal's possible Compact would be discussed publically. Hewko and Foreign Minister Gadio, along with MFG-MCA Director Ibrahima Dia, briefed the Senegalese press on this important milestone and noted the specific projects still under consideration. PRESIDENT WADE INDICATES HE'S ON BOARD -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Later that day, Hewko, accompanied by Ambassador Bernicat, other MCC Officials, and Econ Counselor, met with President Wade so that Hewko could brief Wade on what he had presented to the Steering Committee. Hewko also underscored that for a Compact to be signed in 2009, no additional projects could be added for consideration beyond what has already been assessed in the concept papers. President Wade asked for clarification on the likely total amount of the MCC investment and also on how the funds would be distributed. Hewko reiterated the current estimate of USD 400 million over five years and explained that disbursements were made not to Senegal's Treasury, but to a to-be-created Senegalese MCA management organization, with funds provided as-needed according to the actual work schedule. President Wade stated that he confirms this arrangement, with money being distributed on an "execution basis." Wade expressed his comfort with the information provided by Hewko and reiterated his government's continuing support in order to achieve a Compact signing. COMMENT -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Senegal has put together an outstanding technical and administrative team at MFG-MCA which has produced excellent concept papers (in conformity with MCC, USAID, and World Bank standards) in a timely manner. We will encourage MFG-MCA to continue to develop all of the final projects, as time and resources permit, including completing the necessary follow-on studies. This would add to Senegal's flexibility should more money materialize from the U.S. side for Senegal's Compact, or should other donors be identified who could adopt part of these projects under their own assistance programs. ¶11. (SBU) Mr. Hewko and his MCC team was very clear and direct with President Wade, Prime Minister Soumare and the Steering Committee, and the MFG-MCA team on what still needs to be accomplished before a compact can be signed. There should be no misunderstanding from the Senegalese side on how the MCC operates, nor that the current project proposals need to form the basis of the Compact, with no new projects or significant changes put forward. At the same time, we encourage the MCC to verify, in writing, the GOS' own requirements for signing a compact, including the need, if necessary, for implementing legislation, public hearings, approval by the National Assembly or any other measure that could potentially cause a last-minute conflict. Overall, barring any new high-level Senegalese political influence on the process, we are guardedly confident that all the next steps can be fulfilled in order to meet the September 2009 signing target. ¶12. (U) The MCC has cleared this cable. BERNICAT