The planned makeover of the Holy City of Touba taken on by the Chinese development compny Henan has slowed, according to a recent report. We've followed the Chinese work there in previous posts. The on-and-off history of the five-year project hints much of the experience of the Chinese in Senegal, if not of the Chinese in broader Africa.
A recent news report of the visit of President Wade to meet the new Khalif in Touba mentions that work by the Chinese is nowhere to be seen, other than the building of some sidewalks. According to the news story the slowdown may be due to the government not paying fast enough, a tardiness that has occurred before with the Touba work. More recent IMF reports had the Dakar government catching up on its contract payments. But maybe not in Touba.
Touba is a high-profile project and the Chinese involvement is watched by us and likely by others. If the Chinese aren't being paid, one wonders about the sovereign solvency. It could be just another "negotiation" standoff, or it could indicate a broader discord between the Senegalese, or the Mourides, with the Chinese.
We'll continue to watch.
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