非洲風情：肯尼亞反加稅示威

肯尼亞加稅方案觸發國內示威及警民衝突，總統威廉・魯托原本形容衝擊國會屬「叛國事件」，翌日卻「打倒昨日的我」，轉軚聲稱「認輸」並撤回包含加稅措施的受爭議法案，形容「人民已經發聲了」。聯合國秘書長古特雷斯呼籲肯尼亞政府克制，指維護和平示威權利很重要。

總統魯托今年五月向國會提交財務法案，建議增新「生態稅」，對造成浪費和危害環境的產品徵稅，民眾批評稅項增加衛生巾等必需品價格，或令女孩無法負擔而在經期時缺課。當地後來修訂至僅針對部分進口商品，涵蓋麵包、食用油，及金融交易稅收等，然而在民間反對下取消。

世界銀行及國際貨幣基金組織建議，公共債務佔國內生產總值約五成五，惟肯尼亞公共債務佔國內生產總值約六成八，遠超於兩大組織的建議。新法案冀增加政府收入，在下個財政年度增加二十七億美元的額外稅收，減少預算赤字和國家借貸，政府形容當地稅收仍比其他非洲國家低。

法案原以一百九十五比一百零六在國會通過，魯托可在十四天內簽署法案。惟當日觸發數以千計民眾遊行，全國四十七個縣中，至少三十五個出現抗議，涵蓋大城市和農村地區。在首都內羅畢，有示威者向警察擲石及破壞國會大樓，警察先後出動催淚氣體和水炮，以至發射實彈驅散。

根據肯尼亞醫療協會，示威造成至少二十三人死亡。肯亞塔國立醫院人員確認，在接受治療的一百六十人中有人槍傷。肯尼亞血腥鎮壓觸發多國關注，美國國務院發言人米勒譴責騷亂，敦促各方克制及恢復社會秩序；稱已審查在海地進行維和行動的肯尼亞人員，強調人權的重要性。

事實上，肯尼亞獲非北約主要盟友地位，並與華盛頓加強安全合作；而魯托亦是十六年來首名國事訪問華盛頓的非洲領導人，美方藉此抗衝中國與俄羅斯等持續擴大影響力的競爭對手。分析指原本警告會強硬應對「暴力及混亂狀態」的魯托，在美方施壓下才「轉軚」宣布撤回法案。

Kenya Finance Bill Withdrawal after Deadly Protest

Protesters stormed Kenya's parliament against the tax proposals. President William Ruto warned the protest had been hijacked by a group of organized criminals and would prevent the violence “at whatever cost”. He then withdrew the finance bill after deadly protests, saying he conceded and it was clear that Kenyans “want nothing” to do with the bill.

The bill initially proposed to introduce a 16% sales tax on bread and 25% duty on cooking oil, which would be unaffordable for the citizens with high cost of living. An eco levy would be imposed on products that harm the environment, including sanitary pads. Critics worried that girls would miss school during their periods due to the unaffordable price.

The public debt in Kenya stands at 68% of the gross domestic product, higher than the 55% that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have recommended. The proposal was part of the government's efforts to raise an extra $2.7 billion in domestic revenue. President Ruto has dropped the contentious one, but protestors want the entire bill scrapped.

Lawmakers approved the Finance Bill 2024 hikes on a 195-to-106 majority vote, then fled the parliament as protesters evaded police and stormed the complex. Violent demonstrations rocked 35 of the country's 47 counties. Kenyan police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators in Nairobi, in an attempt to block off the roads to the presidential palace.

According to the Kenya Medical Association, the death toll from protests has reached 23, with 20 others in critical condition awaiting surgeries. “We urge restraint to restore order and provide space for dialogue,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller added, “the US and other nations have vetted the Kenyan personnel for the Haiti security mission”.

As Chinese and Russian influence grows in Africa, President Joe Biden designated Kenya as a major non-NATO ally, making Kenya the first sub-Saharan African country, and facilitating a strategic and security partnership with the US. After the deadly protests, this controversial bill was withdrawn under condemnation and pressure from the US government.

IMG: https://www.npr.org/2024/06/25/nx-s1-5019368/kenya-protest-parliament-fire-taxes