ABUJA: Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for the suspension of nationwide protests and an end to "bloodshed" on Sunday after security forces cracked down on rallies over economic hardship. Thousands of people began taking to the streets last week to protest government policies and the high cost of living.
Rights group Amnesty International has accused security forces of killing at least 13 demonstrators in the first day of protests on Thursday, while police say seven people have died and deny responsibility.
In a televised address, Tinubu urged the demonstrators "to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue," his first public comments since the rallies started.
"I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and the frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens," he said. "But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart," he warned. "We must stop further bloodshed".
Tinubu blamed organisers for failing to prevent disorder, and used the speech to defend his record and outline measures he said would benefit young Nigerians and the economy.
Africa's country is suffering its worst economic crisis in a generation with high inflation and a tumbling naira after Tinubu ended a fuel subsidy and currency controls more than a year ago.
The US-based World Bank and International Monetary Fund said the measures were needed to revive the economy and the president again appealed for patience in his speech, saying his reforms would attract foreign investors. The measures have dealt a heavy blow to Nigerians, though. Food prices have soared and hunger is spreading.
The protest movement won support with an online campaign that called for the government to bring down fuel prices and tackle the cost of living crisis, among other demands.
But the authorities warned they would come down hard on attempts to copy recent anti-government protests in Kenya, where demonstrators forced the president to abandon new taxes.
The protests eased in many places, residents said that police killed three people at a rally in the northern city Kano. — AFP
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