Sudanese officials must obtain Bashir's approval before travelling abroad.

February 9, 2012 (KHARTOUM) -- Sudanese ministers are not allowed to travel abroad on official business without obtaining prior approval from president Omer Hassan al-Bashir. The minister of state for finance Abdel-Rahman Dirar told the pro-government al-Rayaam newspaper that this measure was taken to preserve the country's reserves of hard currency and reduce government expenditures. Bashir will examine the necessity of the minister's travel and make a determination accordingly, Dirar said. "No constitutional [official] will travel without permission from the president of the republic and the president surely wont grant approval unless participation [in the event or conference] is …