Unrest in Martinique
Violent protests have swept the French Caribbean island of Martinique since?Sept. 1?as residents demand Paris act to lower the price of food, which is 40 percent more expensive than mainland France. Demonstrations have been spearheaded by the Rally for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources (RPPRAC), a protest group representing the island’s majority Black population. Protest actions since early September have included dozens of roadblocks, the looting of small businesses,?closure?of the island’s airport?and commercial ports, and at times?shootouts with police. At least one person has been killed and over 30 injured?during the unrest, prompting French officials to implement a number of curfews and a ban on the purchase of flammable goods.
Watch for:?Paris reached an agreement with food distributors on Oct. 17 to attempt to lower the price of roughly?6,000 products?by a goal of 20 percent. The deal was not signed by RPPRAC, who have continued protesting amid calls for a more comprehensive deal and reforms to the “Octroi de mer” tariffs imposed on imports to France’s overseas territories, originally created to protect local island businesses. France’s other overseas territories, namely New Caledonia and Guadeloupe, have experienced more significant political unrest this year stemming from their enduring colonial relationships with l’Hexagone. Given the election of a more left-wing and?anti-colonial?French legislature in 2024, and conservative Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s?tenuous grasp?on power, it is not impossible that Paris could push for a more comprehensive solution to the multiple overseas crises.
Factal members following Martinique will receive a deeper look into the violent protests on Thursday October 31.
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