Government ministers in Senegal are now prohibited from engaging in all non — essential international travel in response to the sharp increase in oil prices, attributed to the ongoing conflict in Iran. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko revealed this decision during a youth rally held on Friday. He pointed out that the current cost of a barrel of oil is nearing double the amount the government had budgeted for, which has placed additional strain on the country’s already stretched finances.
Sonko, who assumed the role of prime minister two years ago, has also suspended his own trips to Niger and Spain in compliance with the travel restrictions. He further stated that the mines minister would unveil additional measures aimed at curbing government spending within the upcoming week.
This decision by Senegal is part of a broader response from the African continent to the soaring oil prices. Neighboring countries have been reducing fuel levies and rationing electricity as a result of the oil price rise. The prime minister sought to reassure the youth audience, emphasizing that although the situation is challenging, the resilience of the Senegalese people is a source of strength.
Senegal, which has a nascent oil and gas industry, is heavily dependent on imported fuel. Despite being described as “robust “with an almost 8% growth rate and low inflation by the International Monetary Fund last year, the country’s public debt stands at over 130% of its GDP. Sonko has blamed the previous government for the accumulated debt, which he argues has made managing the current oil price situation more arduous.
Elsewhere on the continent, South Africa’s government has taken steps to reduce the tax on petrol to mitigate the rise in fuel costs. Ethiopia is dealing with fuel shortages, leading to some government institutions sending employees on annual leave. In South Sudan, electricity rationing has been implemented in the capital, Juba, while Zimbabwe is increasing the ethanol content in its petrol. Additionally, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has restricted fertilizer supplies, with an estimated 30% of this vital farming input transported through the Gulf, according to the International Rescue Committee.
Source: BBC Home – Breaking News, World News, US News, Sports, Business, Innovation, Climate, Culture, Travel, Video & Audio
