Demonstrations in Martinique: nighttime curfew lifted this Tuesday morning

The midnight to five a.m. curfew which was still in force in Fort-de-France and four other municipalities in Martinique will be lifted on Tuesday morning due to the improvement in the situation on the island, the prefecture announced. Monday.

“After a week without urban violence or roadblocks, having allowed Martinicans to enjoy All Saints’ Day, the prefect of Martinique has decided to lift all administrative police measures applied for several weeks in the territory”indicated the prefecture in a press release.

“For the municipalities of Case Pilote, Fort-de-France, Lamentin, Saint-Joseph and Schoelcher, the curfew will end this Tuesday, November 5 at 5:00 a.m.” (10:00 a.m. in Paris), adds the same source.

The ban on the purchase, sale or transport of fuel, petroleum, flammable or explosive products which was still in force across the island has also been lifted.

“This decision in no way affects the mobilization of state services and security forces, who are working to maintain calm throughout the island”specifies the press release.

A movement against the high cost of living

Since September, Martinique has been affected by a movement against the high cost of living which has degenerated with urban riots and violence, mainly at night.

After a first partial curfew, put in place from September 18 to 26 to contain the riots, the prefect had imposed new bans on night travel throughout the territory from October 10, following a resumption violence. At the end of October, the curfew was limited to Fort-de-France and four municipalities on its outskirts.

The negotiations resulting from the mobilization, bringing together local elected officials, state services, economic players and activists, resulted in an agreement to lower the prices of around 6,000 food products by “20% on average” but the movement the originator of the mobilization refused to sign it, considering the number of products concerned insufficient.