France aims to calm unrest over food prices in overseas territory
A curfew has been imposed in Martinique in response to escalating violence linked to the rising cost of goods. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
A curfew has been implemented in Martinique due to a resurgence of violence.
On Friday, France announced a curfew for the Caribbean island as violent protests related to skyrocketing living costs have persisted for over a month.
Since the beginning of the week, there has been at least one fatality and 26 police officers have been injured amid riots, with numerous stores being looted. Social media has seen the circulation of videos depicting protesters erecting burning barricades and hurling rocks and bottles at law enforcement, who have responded with tear gas.
The local French administration declared a ban on public gatherings throughout the region until October 14. Additionally, the sale of items potentially usable for arson has been restricted, as reported by Reuters.
The local government stated that no law enforcement officers discharged their firearms during the unrest, and there is currently an investigation into the death of a civilian, according to ABC News.
French Overseas Minister Francois-Noel Buffet denounced the violence and urged for “responsibility and calm.”
Didier Laguerre, the mayor of Fort-de-France, the island's capital, has attempted to alleviate the rising tensions, asserting that the protesters' demands are valid.
“I understand the suffering and anger,” Laguerre mentioned in a written statement. “I know everyone’s impatience and the resignation of those who have lost hope for a long time.”
A similar curfew was imposed by local authorities in September in parts of Fort-de-France and the nearby town of Le Lamentin due to unrest among the island's 350,000 residents. Those protests were spearheaded by the Assembly for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources, which sought to align food prices with those of mainland France.
Martinique, along with other French overseas territories, has been grappling with escalating food and transportation costs. France’s National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies reports that average food prices in Martinique are 40% higher than those in mainland France.
Demonstrators have been advocating for reforms, including lowered import taxes and improved regulation of local markets to address the existing inequalities.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Friday, France announced a curfew for the Caribbean island as violent protests related to skyrocketing living costs have persisted for over a month.
Since the beginning of the week, there has been at least one fatality and 26 police officers have been injured amid riots, with numerous stores being looted. Social media has seen the circulation of videos depicting protesters erecting burning barricades and hurling rocks and bottles at law enforcement, who have responded with tear gas.
The local French administration declared a ban on public gatherings throughout the region until October 14. Additionally, the sale of items potentially usable for arson has been restricted, as reported by Reuters.
The local government stated that no law enforcement officers discharged their firearms during the unrest, and there is currently an investigation into the death of a civilian, according to ABC News.
French Overseas Minister Francois-Noel Buffet denounced the violence and urged for “responsibility and calm.”
Didier Laguerre, the mayor of Fort-de-France, the island's capital, has attempted to alleviate the rising tensions, asserting that the protesters' demands are valid.
“I understand the suffering and anger,” Laguerre mentioned in a written statement. “I know everyone’s impatience and the resignation of those who have lost hope for a long time.”
A similar curfew was imposed by local authorities in September in parts of Fort-de-France and the nearby town of Le Lamentin due to unrest among the island's 350,000 residents. Those protests were spearheaded by the Assembly for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources, which sought to align food prices with those of mainland France.
Martinique, along with other French overseas territories, has been grappling with escalating food and transportation costs. France’s National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies reports that average food prices in Martinique are 40% higher than those in mainland France.
Demonstrators have been advocating for reforms, including lowered import taxes and improved regulation of local markets to address the existing inequalities.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
