The government of the Central African Republic has declared a planned fuel protest illegal and warned that a march organised by the opposition in the capital, Bangui, will not be allowed to go ahead.

Government spokesman Evariste Ngamana said protesters would not be permitted to march and that the authorities would act in line with the law to maintain order. The march, organised by the Republican Bloc for the Defence of the Constitution (BRDC), is planned for Friday 13 November, with demonstrators demanding a cut in fuel prices.

Fuel prices were raised last month, with petrol now costing 1,150 CFA francs (about $1.70) a litre and diesel 1,400 CFA francs. In a landlocked country already struggling with shortages and a black market in fuel, the increase has fuelled widespread anger.

The BRDC is also calling for the release of civil society members arrested during an earlier protest in October, after a "Dead City" day of action against the price rises. USAfricaOnline reported that four senior civil society members were taken into custody during the October protest, while Africa-Press reported three named activists arrested after the 12 October action. The government has described the BRDC as illegitimate.

The government has not said what measures it will take to stop the march. The standoff comes as the opposition bloc continues to press President Faustin-Archange Touadera's government over living costs, and follows earlier demonstrations that went ahead despite official bans. Source: USAfricaOnline