Curfew extended in France’s Martinique after riots over spiraling food prices

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Authorities in the French Caribbean island of Martinique have extended a night-time curfew following a new wave of riots over spiraling food prices, while talks between authorities and protesters have stalled.

In recent weeks the island of 350,000 people has been shaken by violent protests over high food prices.

During a fresh wave of troubles last week, one person was killed and nearly 30 police received injuries as protesters looted shops, erected burning barricades and clashed with members of law enforcement.

The curfew, which was ordered from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am (0100 GMT-0900 GMT) last week, has been extended until October 21, the prefecture of Martinique said in a statement on Monday.

The "exceptional measure" is aimed at "guaranteeing the safety of people and property," authorities said.

Unrest has recently ebbed, with the prefecture saying no major incidents have been recorded over the past 48 hours.

Pupils in primary and secondary schools are set to gradually return to classrooms from Tuesday, education authorities said.

Residents of France's overseas territories have long complained about the high cost of living. In Martinique, food prices are 40 percent higher than in mainland France.

The protests were launched in early September by the Assembly for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources (RPPRAC), which demands that food prices be aligned with mainland France.

The government has held a series of meetings with activists and retailers to discuss ways to bring down prices. However, new talks would not take place due to a lack of a "new concrete and viable proposal," the president of Martinique's governing body, Serge Letchimy, said on Monday evening.

In response, the activists warned they were ready to continue protests against the high cost of living.

"We are a people legitimately demanding the right to access food at respectable prices, and all we have been given so far is repression," RPPRAC leader Rodrigue Petitot told AFP.

(AFP)

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