Senegal faces potential energy price hikes due to Middle East tensions, Interior Minister warns

Senegal's Minister of Interior, Bamba Cissé, warned of direct repercussions on the cost of living due to the situation in the Middle East during the official ceremony of the Ziarra Générale de Tivaouane. He highlighted that ongoing events in the strategic region are already affecting several countries, primarily due to disruptions in global energy supply. The minister emphasized that the Middle East situation directly impacts the population's standard of living, citing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major maritime route for global oil transit, as a key concern. This has led several sub-regional countries, including Mauritania, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau, to revise their energy pricing policies. Mauritania, for instance, increased prices for gasoline, diesel, and electricity at the end of April. The crisis's effects are also evident in Europe, with approximately 15% of service stations in France closing. Minister Cissé indicated these are signs of an imminent energy crisis, though Senegalese citizens have not yet fully felt the impact. He cautioned that this situation could change rapidly in the coming days, potentially affecting fuel prices and the broader cost of living.