Confronting the crisis
In a speech delivered during a youth event in the coastal town of Mbour, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko noted that the price of oil is around $115 per barrel, nearly double the $62 per barrel price that Senegal had included in its budget.
He said, "No minister in my government will leave the country unless it is for an essential mission related to the work we are currently doing." He also announced that he had already cancelled his planned trips to Niger, Spain, and France.
Governments across West Africa and the world have rushed to take measures to address the crisis, including raising fuel prices, providing subsidies, and implementing remote work.
Justification of actions
Sonko cited these measures to justify the steps taken by debt-ridden Senegal. He indicated that further measures would be announced within days.
The Minister of Energy and Mines is expected to address the nation in the coming days to explain the details of efforts to mitigate the impact of the price shock.
The war and Iran’s de facto closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz have disrupted global energy markets, driving up the price of benchmark Brent crude and prompting governments around the world to take steps to mitigate the negative effects.
