Congo's Nguesso halts government junkets

Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso has stopped ministers and senior civil servants from travelling abroad. Congo, which neighbours on the bigger Democratic Republic of Congo, is a large oil producer, but most of its people live in poverty. Seems as if government officials still believe they’re living la dolce vita, but now all future trips have to be deemed profitable before they’re approved. News reports say the Congo is trying to qualify for debt relief and a travel ban would show the government is cutting costs. The people must be wondering whether the president will curtail his own lavish lifestyle.