Rising Food Prices Spur Protests in Middle East & Africa

By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

AMMAN, Jordan – In what was heralded as “a day of rage,” over 5000 Jordanians staged protests against the government for increases in food prices and unemployment.  While police were successful in containing the protests, the demonstrations highlight the rising levels of resentment against the government blamed for the country’s declining standards of living and economic stagnation.  The protests occurred in five cities and were the latest in a series of demonstrations within the region opposing rising food prices.  The protests remained peaceful and no arrests have been reported. 

Even before the protests broke out, the Jordanian government had dedicated over £141m to subsidize the cost of bread.  Some of this money has also been infused into the economy to spur job creation.   While the government’s efforts have proven helpful in cushioning the impact of the current economic situation, those who are worse off have felt little relief.  Poverty and unemployment continue to be difficult challenges for the leadership in Amman, and may be exacerbated by continued economic decline.  Current poverty levels continue to hover around 25 percent in the desert regions of the country and Amman, the country’s capital, continues to be the most expensive city in the Arab world. The country’s budget deficit reach a record high in 2009 standing at $2billion or 9 percent of Jordan’s GDP. 

The protests in Jordan were just one of many in recent weeks which sought to bring attention to the rising price of food in the Middle East and Africa.   Some protests in Tunisia and Algeria turned violent.  The protests in Jordan mark the growing dissatisfaction with the population of the government’s economic policy. The latest figures published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported a 25% increase in the price of many of the most fundamental foodstuffs since last year, including; bread, cereals, cooking oils, meat and dairy products.  One protest banner warned of the effects of a resentful and hungry population reading “Jordan is not one for the rich.  Bread is a red line.  Beware of our starvation and fury.”  While these protests were conducted in a peaceful manner, it may only be a matter of time before the government is faced with a more tumultuous scenario.

For more information, please see:

Guardian – Jordanians Protests against Soaring Food Prices – Jan. 15, 2011

Agence France Presse – Jordanians Protest Living Conditions, Blame Govt – Jan. 14, 2011

Reuters Africa – Hundreds Protest Over High Prices in south Jordan – Jan. 14, 2011

The Press Association – Jordanians Protest at Rising Prices – Jan. 14, 2011

Author: Impunity Watch Archive