Comoros has temporarily suspended a recent fuel price increase after protests and clashes left one person dead and five injured on Anjouan island.
The government announced the suspension on Saturday, reversing the hikes introduced on May 9 in response to rising global oil prices linked to the Iran war. Energy Minister Aboubacar Saïd Anli said President Azali Assoumani acted to “preserve peace” after hearing public anger.
“The government and President Azali heard the cries of the Comorian people. There was no other solution than to listen to them,” Anli told reporters. He said the decrees on fuel prices would be suspended to allow for talks.
The unrest began Friday after a meeting between the mayor of Mirontsy and the fishermen’s association, which has been on strike since Wednesday over rising fuel costs. Roads in Mutsamudu, the capital of Anjouan, were blocked with stones. A judicial investigation is underway into the death near Mpage.
The wider strike started Monday after diesel prices rose 46% and gasoline 35%. Transport workers and shopkeepers shut down public transport in the capital Moroni. The National Human Rights Commission said 39 people were detained during the unrest.
On Saturday, the heads of the transport workers’ and merchants’ unions announced the strike had ended.
