04 Jul 2018 | 08:22 AM UTC
Guinea: Nationwide “dead city” protest July 4 /update 1
Civil society organizations call for nationwide “dead city” protest on July 4 to denounce rise in fuel prices; avoid all related demonstrations
Event
Civil society organizations have called for a nationwide "dead city" protest (ville morte; general strike in which individuals are encouraged to stay home) to take place on Wednesday, July 4. Activists are denouncing the recent rise in fuel prices. Furthermore, the CNTG-USTG worker's union has called for a related nationwide strike from Wednesday through Friday, July 6.
Related protests are likely in the coming days, along with associated traffic disruptions.
Context
The price of regular gasoline had increased from CFA 8000 to 10,000 (USD 0.88 to 1.10) per liter. Violent protests took place in the capital Conakry on Monday, July 2, notably in the Petit Simbaya, Cosa, Wanindara, Cite-Enco-5, and Sonfonia areas of the Ratoma neighborhood. Police forcefully dispersed protesters who erected highly disruptive roadblocks in various areas, including on the Le Prince Highway.
Numerous protests have taken place in Guinea in recent months, mostly over sociopolitical issues.
Advice
All those present in Guinea are advised to closely monitor developments to the situation and avoid all public gatherings due to the risk of violence, which can flare up with little warning.
