The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

Strike paralyses South American territory

The French government appealed for calm in the South American territory which has been gripped by protests since last week.

Queues formed at petrol stations in the French overseas territory of Guiana as people tried to stock up on fuel ahead of a general strike on Monday

The French government appealed for calm in the South American territory which has been gripped by protests since last week over security and the state of the economy.

"The first priority is the fight against insecurity," French President Francois Hollande said of the crisis that has elbowed its way into the country's presidential election campaign.

Barricades have been erected on roads since last week, snarling traffic, and the US State Department has warned travellers to stay away, citing the risk of violence.

ADVERTISEMENT

The barriers were temporarily lifted on Sunday and some stores opened so people could stock up on food and other supplies before the strike began, leading to long queues at petrol stations.

Air France and Air Caraibes cancelled all flights into Guiana and schools and universities were closed after 37 labour unions launched the strikes demanding a "Marshall Plan" to improve public services and security.

The protests also led to the postponement of an Arianespace rocket launch at Europe's Guiana Space Centre in Kourou.

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said a delegation of ministers would be sent to Guiana before the end of the week if certain conditions were met, without elaborating.

"The situation is tense," said Ericka Bareigts, the French minister for overseas territories, appealing for calm.

ADVERTISEMENT

'All we have is plundered'

The French government had previously sent a delegation to negotiate with strikers, but many of the territory's 22 mayors refused to meet the officials, instead demanding that French ministers to come in person.

"This has gone on long enough! All we have is plundered, it's time to recognise the people of Guiana," a woman at a barricade blocking access to the airport in the capital Cayenne told AFP on Sunday.

The "Collective to Get Guiana Moving" has called for better access to health services and electricity, economic development and job creation programmes, and renewed efforts to keep children from dropping out of school.

Guiana, with about 250,000 inhabitants, relies on huge injections of public funds.

ADVERTISEMENT

"The government must respond rapidly to these requests," French Environment Minister Segolene Royal said after a recent visit.

Several of the candidates running for the presidency in France have pounced on the crisis which flared just weeks before the first round of voting on April 23.

"This situation is the consequence of the failed policies of Francois Hollande," said conservative candidate Francois Fillon.

Marine Le Pen, the far-right National Front candidate, condemned what she called a "cruel minimum service" delivered by French governments to Guiana.

A similar revolt gripped French Guiana in 2008 over soaring fuel prices, shutting down schools and the airport.

ADVERTISEMENT

The strike ended after 11 days, when the government agreed to cut fuel prices.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT