Former SOMELEC chief disputes investigation into Mauritania power station fires

Sidi Ould Salem, the former Director General of the Mauritanian Electricity Company (SOMELEC), has formally contested the findings of an investigation into fires at electricity transformer stations in Nouakchott.

In a clarifying statement, Salem argued that the project to rehabilitate the power lines was designed by the Ministry of Energy prior to his appointment. He noted that the project was part of an emergency 100-day plan based on previous studies conducted by the firm Artelia. Salem specifically disputed the investigation's claims regarding the unauthorized change of cable manufacturers, asserting that the procurement committee had not approved such a change before his departure from office on June 24, 2025.

Salem addressed several criticisms leveled against his administration, including the lack of preliminary technical studies and perceived weaknesses in oversight. He maintained that the contract awarded to CTM Batiments followed public procurement regulations and that the tender process was conducted transparently. He further noted that his requests to hire a specialized engineer for technical supervision were delayed due to funding difficulties at the Ministry of Energy.