In Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urges an end to protests against high cost of living.

President’s Call for End to Protests

The Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has called for an end to protests against the high cost of living and “bloodshed.” This plea comes after at least thirteen protesters were killed by security forces, as reported by Amnesty International. Thousands of people took to the streets on Thursday and Friday to protest against “bad governance” and the rising cost of living in Nigeria.

President’s Address and Responses

In his televised address, President Tinubu acknowledged the pain and frustration behind the protests and urged the demonstrators to create a space for dialogue. While committing to address the citizens’ concerns, he emphasized the need to avoid violence and destruction in the nation. The President criticized the organizers for failing to prevent the violence that ensued during the protests.

Amnesty International’s Findings and Organizers’ Determination

Amnesty International reported at least thirteen deaths of protesters at the hands of security forces, while the police claimed only seven casualties and denied any wrongdoing. Despite warnings from authorities, the organizers of the protests, a coalition of civil society groups, vowed to continue their actions in the days ahead.

Continuation and Response from Citizens

Damilare Adenola, a 29-year-old activist and leader of the human rights group Take It Back, deemed the President’s call to end the protests unjust, stating that it is the government causing harm to peaceful demonstrators. Incidents of fatal shootings by the police were reported in Kano, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including minors.

Authorities’ Actions and President’s Defense

The police arrested nearly 700 individuals during the initial days of protests on charges of armed robbery, arson, and property damage. President Tinubu emphasized the need for law enforcement to maintain peace and order in accordance with human rights conventions. Meanwhile, the protesters, under the hashtag #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, demanded policy reversals, including the suspension of fuel subsidies.

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This article is a collaboration between Le Monde and AFP.