Deconstructing Neo-Colonialism: Germany and Senegal’s Potential Gas Partnership and its Implications for Leaving Fossil Fuels Underground
Abstract: Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022 spurred a European dash for African gas supplies, including an announced partnership between Germany and Senegal on LNG. This thesis aims to contribute to the literature on leaving fossil fuels underground (LFFU) by analysing the competing arguments for and against the partnership, with a particular focus on the accusations of neo-colonialism from both sides. The research question focuses on the implications of the concept of neo-colonialism for LFFU and asks how these different accusations can be addressed to equitably achieve it. To answer this, the thesis develops a post-structuralist geographic research design, comprising a post-structural theoretical framework and discourse analysis method. By following a research cycle developed for this method by David Howarth and Jason Glynos, four interrelated arguments – or discourses – supporting or opposing the partnership are identified from interviews and other materials by relevant actors in the case study. Since the competing discourses all rely on neo-colonialism in some capacity, the thesis identifies an opportunity for a more nuanced definition of the concept that effectively engages with and rearticulates their common concerns about European energy hypocrisy and neo-colonial power dynamics. Hence, it concludes that a redefinition of the concept could help articulate political demands in a way that contributes to LFFU while addressing the concerns of the Global South, suggesting avenues for resolution and transformative change in the case study and for North-South energy ties more broadly.