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Senegalese President Faye bans airport ceremonies in new austerity measures

Senegal's newly elected president Bassirou Diomaye Faye addresses the nation ahead of Senegal's independence day at the presidential palace in Dakar, Senegal, April 3, 2024. REUTERS/Abdou Karim Ndoye/File Photo

By Mwangi Maina | 08 May 2024

By eliminating unnecessary and costly protocol receptions, President Faye seeks to promote economic efficiency in the West African country.

Senegal's newly inaugurated President Diomaye Faye has made a bold move by banning airport ceremonies during his arrivals or departures.

The radical and youthful Senegalese leader, who came to power in April emphasised that government officials have more pressing matters to attend to, thus opting for a departure and arrival process devoid of formalities and ceremonies.

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This decision aims to streamline government operations and allocate resources more efficiently.

By eliminating unnecessary and costly protocol receptions, President Faye seeks to promote economic efficiency in the West African country.

This move prompts reflection on the substantial financial and temporal investments traditionally devoted to protocol activities by African governments, including Kenya.

African governments and their leaders have faced criticism for their penchant for pomp and ceremony when travelling abroad.

This includes the practice of lining up senior government and military officials at the airport during departures and arrivals, which is viewed as a wasteful expenditure of time and resources.

Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye is seen off at the airport in Bujumbura on April 28, 2024, ahead of the International Development Association Summit in Nairobi. (Photo: x/NtareHouse)

In Kenya, President William Ruto is routinely seen off by a retinue of over 10 senior government officials, including his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, the Chief of Defence Forces, General Charles Kahariri, government ministers, and military service commanders.

The security officials drawn from the military and police often salute him as he boards the presidential jet.

In late April, as he departed for Nairobi to attend the International Development Association summit by the World Bank, the Burundian leader, Evariste Ndayishimiye, a former military officer, was bid farewell by a contingent of over thirty senior government officials.

Among them were more than 12 uniformed security officers who saluted him before he boarded the Vista private jet chartered for his flight, The Eastleigh Voice has established.