Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko tightens rules on official travel for top officials

The Prime Minister has introduced strict new guidelines to regulate international travel by government ministers and directors-general, aiming to curb what he describes as excessive and unchecked foreign missions.

Tighter oversight of ministerial travel

Under the new framework, approval for overseas trips by ministers will be granted only under exceptional circumstances. The Prime Minister made it clear that most requests will be automatically denied, with exceptions requiring exceptional justification.

Directors-General face stricter travel controls

While ministers’ travel will be closely scrutinized, directors-general of state-run entities have until now operated with fewer restrictions, often relying on their supervisory ministries for approval. This loophole is now set to close.

The Prime Minister revealed that an audit of recent travel records showed some directors-general spent up to 30 days abroad in a single quarter—roughly one-third of the period. Such extended absences, he argued, disrupt essential operations and raise accountability concerns.

Reform of travel authorization procedures

In response, the Prime Minister announced a sweeping overhaul of the travel authorization system. From now on, all overseas missions by directors-general must receive direct clearance from his office, eliminating the prior chain-of-command flexibility.

“This system will be corrected,” he stated. “Going forward, no director-general will leave the country without my explicit approval.” The reform is part of a broader effort to enhance transparency and fiscal responsibility in public administration.