A strike over rising fuel prices paralyzed Ivory Coast's main city Thursday, leaving parts of the commercial capital of the world's leading cocoa producer deserted, witnesses and officials said.
A transport strike began Monday in the lagoon-side city of Abidjan, stranding thousands of workers after normally ubiquitous taxis and minibuses stayed off the streets. On Thursday, one of the West African country's three biggest unions joined in, calling on civil servants and others to stay home until the end of Friday. Many heeded the call, leaving offices in the city center empty.
Reacting to skyrocketing world oil prices, the government raised gasoline and diesel prices by about 30 percent and 44 percent, respectively.
"If the status quo continues ... we will keep our arms crossed" and keep fighting, said Edith Kouame, a leader of the General Workers Union of Ivory Coast.
Another major union seen as close to President Laurent Gbagbo did not participate, but its chief Mahan Gahe said its sister union's protests reflected the "reality" of rising living costs and "workers were tired."
Gbagbo met transport strike leaders Wednesday but no deal was reached.
