Senegal limits foreign trips for officials

The Senegalese Government has banned all but essential foreign trips for Government ministers as part of cost-saving measures triggered by the energy crisis linked to the Iran war.

Senegal, like many African countries, imports most of the petroleum products it consumes, leaving its economy vulnerable to supply disruptions such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has sent the price of crude soaring.

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said that his office was taking steps to limit public expenditure, pointing out that the country’s initial budget forecasts were based on an oil price of $62 per barrel, which is now almost double as a result of the Iran war.

“I have taken a number of drastic measures to restrict everything related to Government spending, including the cancellation of all nonessential missions abroad,” the Government-owned Le Soleil newspaper quoted Sonko as saying.

He added that he canceled several trips, including to Niger, Spain and France.

“No minister in my Government will leave the country except for an essential mission,” Sonko said.