Police in Guinea’s capital fired bullets and tear gas on Monday to disperse rock-throwing mobs who blocked roads with burning tires to protest high fuel costs. The violence killed one man and wounded 20 others.
The government reduced fuel prices by 21 percent over the weekend, but protesters said the cuts should have been at least 50 percent, in line with the global drop in fuel prices in recent months.
Record high world oil prices earlier this year pushed fuel prices in Guinea up from 4,300 Guinea francs (US$0.83) per liter to GF7,000. The government lowered the price to GF5,500 over the weekend.
Monday’s violence was confined to neighborhoods outside the capital, but traffic in the city center was light and some businesses and banks were closed as some braced for the possibility that violence could spread.
Sporadic gunshots could be heard through the afternoon.
Police officer Ousmane Diaoune said one police trainee was killed by accident by a stray bullet believed to have been fired by soldiers. He said 20 civilians and police were injured in the skirmishes, many by rocks thrown at them.
Residents of Conakry’s Taouyah and Hamdallaye neighborhoods said police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of people, who put large pieces of wood and burning tires into the streets.
Tensions have simmered in Guinea for years as a desperate population expresses discontent over the rule of the country’s dictator president, Lansana Conte, who grabbed power in a 1984 coup and has refused to let go despite repeated demonstrations.
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