If the world ever needed an illustration of how fragile the economies of the so-called globalised world then look no further than the recent “food riots” in Mozambique. Analysts have attributed the matter to global warming that has contributed to draughts in wheat producing Russia and other East European countries.
Mozambique riots- image from the Christian Science Monitor
Here is one of the dangers of the “globalised economy” – draught in Russia “forces” 30% bread increase in Mozambique. This increase meant that people in Mozambique were paying U.S 20 cents for bread – their staple food. In a country where an average worker takes home 37 U.S Dollars, this is way beyond the means of the majority of the people. As if this was not bad enough, water and electricity prices also went up.
This is an illustration of a horror punishment that the government of Mozambique decided to impose on its poor people. The very same people the government is meant to be saving. If the bread price increase indeed had everything to do with the soaring global prices of wheat, what about the electricity and water? Isn’t this just a case of the government taking an opportunity to rise prices? Or is it just a catastrophic failure of the governance?
People of Mozambique courageously took to streets in protest – it has been called “riots.” After several days of protest, or “rioting” 13 dead people, 400 injuries and 286 arrests, the Mozambique government decided to reverse the prices. A decision that the government earlier arrogantly said was “irreversible.”
According to Aljazeera, the decision to reverse the prices was reached after an emergency cabinet meeting. A statement from the meeting said government would “maintain the previous price of bread through the introduction of a subsidy.”
This decision shows that the “riots”, the deaths, the injuries and the arrests were all avoidable. You can be assured that the government of Mozambique will not take responsibility for it. Meanwhile, the fracas has been sold to the international community as “food riots” in order to push the blame on the protesters. This is not entirely true. It was poor governance at its worst. Mozambican government is happy with the “food riots” angle because there is an explanation for it – they can not explain the water and the electricity increase.
Mozambique government did not see these “riots” coming. Or they arrogantly thought they can see it off. I am well pleased that the people took their own responsibility and fight for what is right. People have the power. Mozambicans have proved it. Maybe this is what Africa needs after all. People standing up against injustice. As Bob Dylan sang, “The times they are a changing.” And “It’s Blowin’ in the Wind.” Some African governments may just learn a lesson here. Good will always prevail over evil – this is a victory of good over evil.
Thank you for this article. I must say I am puzzled as to why Mozambique, an African country has become reliant on imported food items and this I ask with genuine concern not sarcasm of any kind. Is it a barren country in terms of indigenous agricultural products? I certainly see the point you raise about globalised economies and their downside – always it would appear where African leadership is concerned, it is not weighed up for the long-term benefits of her subjects. As for the water and electricity issues, this further highlights the lack in long-term investment and scientific research once again on renewable energy resources that exist. We remain lagging behind in terms of specialising in fields of research that would put us in par with other developing nations: prone to over reliance on consumerism.
In a way it is disappointing to read this especially that it is happening in country like Mozambique after years of civil unrest and how they overcame them on the other hand I am heartened that the man on the street is willing to stand up to politicians!
The sad reality of this situation in my mind is that food insecurity increases world wide this may become a common occurrence. The debate as to whether water shortages for instance will lead to civil unrest in some parts of the world is gaining moment and is very worrying indeed
Wow! Once again an African government lets its people down. unwarranted deaths, imprisonments and time wasting, no wonder we are still a dark continent. I am appalled by the governments reaction and shame to the Mozambique leaders but again who am I to point dirt in my neighbours eyes when the same thing is happening in Uganda or other African states. We need to raise up in unison as Africans and stop such acts by dispicable leaders. For God and My Country.
So sad to see that African governments will always take to the one side where they will lay the blame at someone else’s doorstep. The leaders that we elect will always do these things to us because they are mostly the by-products of some of the very things we choose to condemn.
Thanks for all the comments. Some interesting points raised, and I have to say these are points that the international community, especially the mainstream media has not raised. The international community has placed the blame mainly on global warming – and that’s a relief for the Mozambique government: they don’t have any explanation to make. We all know where the source of the problem!
As an African, and indeed most of you – based on the comments, refuse to see it that way. The “crisis” is just more than global warming. The food and electricity issue aside, one may wish to know why is it that Mozambique rely on imports (from Russia and South Africa) for its staple food when the country has more than enough land and very capable labour force to cultivate for itself? (Grace touches this point).
The Mozambican people have thoroughly pleased me for standing up against their government’s incompetence or disregard for the plight of the citizenry. The government has taken some credit for its swift move to reverse the prices, which has stopped the violence. Yet the credit must go to the people who demanded justice – and they have won. The prices have been reversed not because the government has suddenly decided to care for its people; the popular uprising has forced the government to backdown. I think it’s time to accord people their rightful place in history.