PARIS (Reuters) – France should restore order on its Caribbean island of Guadeloupe after violent protests over COVID-19 restrictions, the mayor of a metropolis hit by unrest mentioned on Monday.
Native police have arrested at the very least 38 folks and dozens of shops have been looted. French media reported on Sunday that rioters had damaged into an arms depot within the coastal metropolis of Pointe-a-Pitre and brought rifles.
“We simply do not know the way far this may nonetheless go,” Pointe-a-Pitre Mayor Harry Durimel informed France Information radio.
Guadeloupe has been hit by violent protests earlier than, however he mentioned there have been “huge worries” on the island now as a result of rioters had weapons.
Talking within the early hours of the morning, Durimel mentioned he may nonetheless hear noise from protests exterior.
Violence erupted final week after walkouts organised by the territory’s labour unions to problem native COVID-19 restrictions such because the necessary vaccination of well being staff degenerated.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex is because of meet lawmakers from Guadeloupe afterward Monday to attempt to resolve the disaster.
“France should reestablish peace,” Durimel informed franceinfo when requested about his expectations of the assembly.
He additionally urged the federal government in Paris to open up dialogue with the native inhabitants affected by points reminiscent of social misery which had been including to the present well being disaster.
Over the weekend, France introduced it will ship police particular forces to revive order within the French abroad territory. The native college authority mentioned on Sunday that each one faculties in Guadeloupe could be closed on Monday.
In an indication unrest may unfold to different abroad territories within the Caribbean, commerce unions referred to as for a common strike on the island of Martinique from Monday, French media reported.
(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel, enhancing by Ed Osmond)
