Some transport drivers in at least three localities in Guinea-Bissau, including the capital, went on strike on \u200bTuesday after the government raised fuel prices in \u200cresponse to the Iran war but barred any increase in passenger fares.<\/p>\n
Taxi and van drivers in Gabu, the largest city in the east, \u200band the town of Mansoa were not operating, \u200bforcing would-be passengers to walk long distances, residents told \u2060Reuters.<\/p>\n
In the capital Bissau, vans with at least 15 \u200bseats started their strike on Tuesday, and taxis are expected \u200bto join them on Wednesday, said Caram Gassama, chairman of the country’s drivers’ union.<\/p>\n
African governments have imposed sharp fuel price increases as the \u200bIran war sends global oil prices surging and threatens \u200bto spark inflation across the continent.<\/p>\n
Last week Guinea-Bissau’s government raised the price \u200cof \u2060diesel from 700 CFA ($1.25) francs to 898 CFA ($1.60) francs per litre and raised the price of gasoline from 794 CFA ($1.41) francs to 899 CFA ($1.61)francs per litre.<\/p>\n
The government, which \u200btook power in a \u200bmilitary coup \u2060in November, also forbade increases in passenger fares.<\/p>\n
For the past two weeks petrol stations \u200bhave faced shortages in much of the poor \u200bWest \u2060African country, which like many in the region is dependent on petroleum imports.<\/p>\n
Guinea-Bissau’s government, led by Major-General Horta Inta-a, did \u2060not \u200bcomment on the transport strikes on \u200bTuesday. A government Spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n
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