Hundreds of people took to the streets in Bangui, Central African Republic, on Friday to protest the rising cost of living in the country.
African News reports that Samson Ngaibino, a member of the opposition BRDC told the Africanews that, “People in the Central African Republic can no longer afford to live.”
“That is why the population has decided to march and call on President Touadera, saying enough is enough. He is living comfortably while the people are suffering. This is unacceptable. We say no to this situation. We demand that fuel prices be lowered so that Central Africans can afford a decent life.”
Despite the rain, demonstrators answered the call from the Republican Bloc for the Defence of the Constitution (BRDC). They wanted to make their voices heard. This was the opposition coalition’s first major public demonstration since a citywide shutdown last month.
The authorized march was closely monitored by security forces and UN peacekeepers.
“There is no money. Money is not circulating, businesses are struggling, young people cannot find jobs,” said BRDC spokesperson Martin Ziguele. “And on top of that, every six or seven months or so, we are faced with another increase in fuel prices.”
