30,000 protest over increasing costs

On 10 July 2008 approximately 30,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Niamey, the capital, shouting slogans and demanding relief from the increasing costs of food staples and the ongoing power blackouts in the country. Residents have been increasingly affected by the global trend of the rising cost of food, which in Niger has increased more than 20 percent in 2008. Locals have also experienced frequent blackouts due to power supply disturbances in neighboring Nigeria, which provides 90 percent of Niger's electricity. The government has been working on various measures to alleviate growing costs, including the signing of a three-month price-freeze agreement with rice importers in April 2008. With the agreement due to expire, there is fear that the higher prices will deepen the crisis situation in Niger.