
Demonstrations were organized on February 19 and 20, in several cities in the country, despite the state’s attempt to thwart them

The decision may further exacerbate the energy crisis in European countries that are struggling to diversify supply after the G7 imposed a price cap on Russian oil

The protests add to the ongoing political uncertainty in the country, as major opposition parties have announced a boycott of the upcoming legislative elections in December

Even as his own government’s data shows record rise in consumer prices, President Julius Maad Bio described the protests against the soaring cost of living crisis as an insurrection and vowed to “crack down hard”

The government has tried to justify the currency devaluation as a necessary measure to prevent the country’s foreign reserves from running out. Other austerity measures have also been planned for the near future