08/06/2007
Mauritanian President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi gave up 25% of his salary and called on cabinet members to take the same step, a government statement said Thursday (June 7th). The decision followed an announcement last week of a budget deficit of $112 million, caused by a drop in petroleum receipts. The move reportedly also aims at narrowing the gap between the ministerial salaries ($3,500) and those of other civil servants, which do not exceed $260. (Mauritanie-web.com)