When people took to the streets in Egypt in 2011, protesters chanted about freedom and social justice — but also bread. The cost of pantry staples had jumped because of the skyrocketing price of goods like wheat, stoking fury with President Hosni Mubarak.
Now, more than a decade after the Arab Spring, global food prices are soaring again.
They had already reached their highest level on record earlier this year as the pandemic, poor weather and the climate crisis upended agriculture and threatened food security for millions of people. Then came Russia’s war in Ukraine, making the situation much worse — while also triggering a spike in the cost of the other daily essential, fuel.
The combination could generate a wave of political instability, as people who were already frustrated with government leaders are pushed over the edge by rising costs.
Unrest in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Peru over the past week highlights the risks. In Sri Lanka, protests have erupted over shortages of gas and other basic goods. Double-digit inflation in Pakistan has eroded support for Prime Minister Imran Khan, forcing him from office.
At least six people have died in recent anti-government protests in Peru sparked by rising fuel prices. But political conflict isn’t expected to be limited to these countries.
I – Word Understanding
Stoking – causing / provoking
Upended – destroyed
Unrest – a state of disturbance and dissatisfaction
II – Have Your Say
1, How are the prices of commodities in your country? How does it affect you?
2, With the pandemic, Ukraine/Russia situation, global warming and other things happening around, what are the things that worry you most? What do you hope the government should do?
3, Arab Spring, protests in Peru and Sri Lanka happened due to unrest brought about by soaring prices and shortage of commodities. How do you think protests like this help the situation?
What do you think would be a better way to manage the situation?
869 From Pakistan to Peru, soaring food and fuel prices are tipping countries over the edge
