On Saturday afternoon I found myself trapped in a notorious suburb in Guinea's capital, Conakry, after gangs of armed men mounted road blocks and refused to let any vehicles past.
Since the strike began a month ago, more than 70 people have been shot dead by security forces, but in recent days the protests have also been accompanied by increased looting and banditry.
Throughout the night in the suburb of Hamdallaye there was gunfire as police attempted to disperse the men blocking the road - some of whom were on drugs.
But each time a vehicle approached, the crowds returned throwing rocks.
Several cars and trucks were looted.
Before dawn it appeared to have calmed down and we attempted to make it back to the city centre.
Confrontation
But there was still no way through. Rocks had been strewn all over the road to block traffic and after turning round at a roadblock, three men ran towards the car with stones.
Eyewitness: Fleeing Guinea violence
On Saturday afternoon I found myself trapped in a notorious suburb in Guinea's capital, Conakry, after gangs of armed men mounted road blocks and refused to let any vehicles past.
Since the strike began a month ago, more than 70 people have been shot dead by security forces, but in recent days the protests have also been accompanied by increased looting and banditry.
Throughout the night in the suburb of Hamdallaye there was gunfire as police attempted to disperse the men blocking the road - some of whom were on drugs.
But each time a vehicle approached, the crowds returned throwing rocks.
Several cars and trucks were looted.
Before dawn it appeared to have calmed down and we attempted to make it back to the city centre.
Confrontation
But there was still no way through. Rocks had been strewn all over the road to block traffic and after turning round at a roadblock, three men ran towards the car with stones.
