Several thousand people took the streets of Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou on Thursday as workers downed tools in a nationwide strike over higher fuel prices. Petrol and diesel prices have shot up 12 percent over the past three weeks, sparking a wave of protest.
A grassroots group, the National Coalition Against Costly Living (CCVC), called the strike and protest, with a march from the chamber of commerce to the trade ministry in the heart of the capital of this West African country. "No to the impoverishment of the citizens" read one of the slogans alongside others reading: "Bread and freedom for the people".
"Enough is enough," said civil servant Charles Coulibaly, 42. "We can't get by on what we make, and now they're raising fuel prices, which will have the knock-on effect of making all products and services more expensive." Another marcher, 36-year-old bookseller Prosper Zebango, expressed exasperation.