Police in Benin fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Cotonou on Saturday, as trade unions called for a demonstration over the rising cost of living. Several senior union figures, including Moudassirou Bachabi and Anselme Amoussou, were arrested during the protest, according to witnesses and union officials.
The protest was meant to take place at the labour council in Cotonou, but armed police blocked access to the area and turned away journalists. Despite this, some protesters gathered nearby, carrying signs and wearing union T-shirts, only to be met with tear gas from the police.
Anita Bossoukpe, deputy general secretary of the General Confederation of Workers of Benin (CGTB), confirmed the arrests of Bachabi, Amoussou, and 16 other demonstrators. Appolinaire Affewe, the head of a confederation of unions, also reported the arrests.
Protesters cited the high cost of food staples and the recent increase in fuel prices as reasons for their demonstration. The guaranteed minimum salary in Benin is 52,000 CFA francs ($85) per month, but many struggle to make ends meet as prices continue to rise.
The International Monetary Fund recently highlighted the economic challenges facing sub-Saharan Africa, where incomes are falling behind the rest of the world. Benin launched a sovereign dollar bond earlier this year in an effort to address its financial situation.
The situation in Benin reflects a broader trend of economic hardship in the region, with protesters demanding action to alleviate the burden of high living costs.