Tanzania’s president orders officials to travel by bus amid fuel shortages

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Wednesday ordered government officials to travel in a single bus during official trips to reduce fuel consumption, amid shortages caused by the Middle East war.

Fuel prices in the East African nation have soared by about one-third since March, the country’s energy regulator said last week.

Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for officials on Wednesday, Hassan said that during her official trips, only her core convoy – including her escort, police and a backup vehicle – would remain in the official motorcade.

Hassan’s presidential entourage normally comprises more than 30 vehicles, including luxury SUVs and police outriders, often bringing traffic to a standstill.

“From now on, wherever I go, all officials will travel together in one bus… to cut fuel consumption,” Hassan said.

The effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas normally passes, has caused countries to ration fuel use.

Last week, the Ethiopian government said it would prioritise vehicles transporting essential goods and those in the public transport sector at fuel stations.

…Senegal ministers get temporary travel ban
Ousmane Sonko, the Prime Minister of Senegal, appointed in April 2024 by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, announced that government ministers in the West Africa country have been prohibited from traveling abroad for non-essential reasons after the rise of oil prices triggered by the Iran conflict.

During a public meeting with the youth last Friday, Ousmane Sonko mentioned that the cost of a barrel of oil was nearing twice the amount that had been planned in the budget.

As part of the new restrictions, Sonko has rescheduled his trips to Niger, Spain, and France. He added that a minister of mines was to communicate next week additional measures to limit government expenditure.

Senegal’s decision follows recent moves by several other countries on the continent to react to the rise in oil prices through reducing fuel duties and electricity rationing.