The capital of Guinea, Conakry, was at a standstill but calm on Wednesday, two days after security forces fired on protesting students and killed 18.
Tens of thousands of high school students rioted on Monday after their final exams were cancelled because of a nationwide work stoppage.
A widely followed general strike over deteriorating standards of living and endemic corruption, organised by the country’s labour movement, entered its seventh day on Wednesday.
The streets of the capital and other main towns across the West African country were deserted as businesses and service providers shut down.
Only police were seen patrolling the streets.
Witnesses and hospitals say at least 18 people were killed and 83 wounded across the country as police tried to quell the riots.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has expressed concern at the killing of the students, underlining ”the need for the non-violent resolution of disputes”.
He called on the Guinean authorities to ”exercise restraint” and appealed to Guineans ”to engage in constructive dialogue to address the challenges confronting their country”.
The government confirmed the killings without giving numbers, but laid the blame on opposition political forces in the country, accusing them of inciting the unrest.
Human rights organisations condemned what they described as the ”bloody repression” of the protests.
High school students took to the streets after their examinations were cancelled as a result of a strike by teachers, who are taking part in the mass job action to force the government of President Lansana Conte to award them a 400% pay rise and reduce the price of oil-based fuels.
Unions also want an end to the corruption they say is endemic in the Guinean government.
Earlier on Tuesday, police fired tear gas after sporadic clashes broke out with students erecting barricades on the streets and stoning security agents. — AFP
