Social crisis in the French West Indies: the reasons for the anger

Audio 19:30

A looted and partially burnt business, in the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre, in Guadeloupe, Monday, November 22, 2021, after violent demonstrations.

© REUTERS / Ricardo Arduengo

By: Clémentine Pawlotsky

1 min

The protest movement continues in the French West Indies, pending negotiations with the government.

Guadeloupe and Martinique are currently the scene of a social crisis, marked by an outbreak of violence: gunfire against firefighters and police, roadblocks hampering the activity of the two islands, charred vehicles, fires and looting. . 

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It all started with the strike launched in mid-November 2021 in Guadeloupe by caregivers opposed to the obligation to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Monday, November 22, 2021, neighboring Martinique joined the protest by launching a strike in turn.

The demands now go beyond the framework of the health policy carried out by Paris and extend to economic and social issues.

Was this crisis predictable?

What are its root causes?

And how far can it go? 

Decryption with

- Pierre Odin

, political scientist, teacher at the

University of the Antilles in Guadeloupe

, author of

 Pwofitasyon.

Union struggles and anti-colonialism in Guadeloupe and Martinique

 (La Découverte)

- Luc Laventure

, editorial director of the media

Outremers 360 °

.

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  • Guadeloupe

  • Martinique

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