Police officers fire tear gas to disperse angry residents protesting against rising fuel prices

On 3 November 2008 police officers in Conakry fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of angry residents protesting against rising fuel prices in the country. Protesters gathered in the neighborhoods of Taouyah and Hamdallaye, where they blocked roads with burning tires and wood until being dispersed. Fuel costs have long been a contentious issue in Guinea, which reduced prices over the 1-2 November weekend in an effort to diffuse tensions; however, residents complain that the government should have done more to alleviate the high prices. Additional disruptive protests are possible.