Government sacks senior finance ministry officials

President Alpha Oumar Konare's government has sacked all the finance ministry's national directors, a statement issued after Wednesday's cabinet meeting reportedly said. The government announced the removal of senior officials responsible for customs, taxation, government finances, the budget and public debt but gave no reasons for their departure. However, Reuters has quoted commentators, government sources and newspapers as linking the move to Konare's campaign to smash corruption as well as speculating that a cabinet reshuffle was imminent. "Konare has made up his mind to hit where it hurts most and nothing will stop him," the pro-government newspaper Les Echos reportedly said.