France: Situation calming down in Martinique, according to the Minister of Overseas Territories

In Martinique, shaken since September by a mobilization aimed at demanding a reduction in food prices, last night was rather calm, according to the French Minister for Overseas Territories François-Noël Buffet.In his speech, he stressed the importance of restoring order while offering solutions to the population regarding the cost of living. "There can be no serious development in a climate of violence," he said.The day before, the authorities of the department-region declared a curfew across the entire island and banned all demonstrations until October 14.Demonstrations and pickets have been taking place in Martinique since mid-September. Residents are protesting the high cost of living on the island. Since the start of the protests, 33 police officers and gendarmes have been injured and 70 people have been arrested, according to the prefecture. The demonstrators set fire to a total of 52 cars and burglarized 61 businesses. According to July data from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic S tudies (INSEE), the median standard of living of the Martinican population is 14% lower than the national median standard of living. In 2023, an INSEE report already noted that food products in Martinique were on average 40% more expensive than in mainland France.Source: Burkina Information Agency