Niger's Police And Angry Protesters Clashes In Niamey.
Police and angry protesters clashed in Niger’s capital (Niamey), on Sunday as a demonstration against financial reforms in the West African nation turned violent.
Local civil society organizations have for weeks been denouncing the 2018 budget for one of the poorest countries on the planet.
At least 1,100 demonstrators rallied near the city center to protest against the government’s financial plan that they branded “anti-social” and said created new taxes.
According to an eyewitness, police used tear gas to stop the group from reaching parliament, the protesters responded by throwing stones and bricks, building barricades and lighting tires on fire.
Instead of creating new taxes, Arzika suggested that the authorities “start by reducing their prestigious lifestyle” or their “many official trips” to reduce the size of the government.
Finance Minister Hassoumi Massoudou told parliament on Wednesday that the new measures “do not affect the poor” but the “richest” and that the tax burden will be between 13 percent and 16 percent, its level in 2015.
80 percent of Niger is covered by the Sahara desert. Its economy has been affected by falls in both oil prices, which it officially began exporting in 2011, and uranium, of which it is a major exporter.
Police and angry protesters clashed in Niger’s capital (Niamey), on Sunday as a demonstration against financial reforms in the West African nation turned violent.
Local civil society organizations have for weeks been denouncing the 2018 budget for one of the poorest countries on the planet.
At least 1,100 demonstrators rallied near the city center to protest against the government’s financial plan that they branded “anti-social” and said created new taxes.
According to an eyewitness, police used tear gas to stop the group from reaching parliament, the protesters responded by throwing stones and bricks, building barricades and lighting tires on fire.
Instead of creating new taxes, Arzika suggested that the authorities “start by reducing their prestigious lifestyle” or their “many official trips” to reduce the size of the government.
Finance Minister Hassoumi Massoudou told parliament on Wednesday that the new measures “do not affect the poor” but the “richest” and that the tax burden will be between 13 percent and 16 percent, its level in 2015.
80 percent of Niger is covered by the Sahara desert. Its economy has been affected by falls in both oil prices, which it officially began exporting in 2011, and uranium, of which it is a major exporter.
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