Tens of thousands of Tunisians protested against the country’s worsening poverty, waving bread loaves and protesting rising inflation.
In many cities, including the capital city, shortages of sugar and coffee, butter, cooking oils, rice flour, fuel, or other basic commodities led to unrest. Many people chanted slogans decrying corruption among the ruling elites.
Protesters burned tires while others shouted “Jobs, freedom and national dignity”, “we can’t support crazy price hikes”, and “where is the sugar?”
Social media is full of images showing empty shelves, while a viral video shows Tunisians desperately trying to find small bags sugar, a commodity that has been scarce in Tunisian markets for several weeks.
Protests were fueled in part by a 14% rise in prices for cooking gas cylinders. This is a result of the heavy public spending on subsidies.
As in its donor Algeria and Tunisia, queues are a new norm in Tunisia. The country is on the verge of financial collapse.
Analysts believe that the shortages are a sign of an impending economic crisis, as Tunisian companies lack liquidity while foreign suppliers are becoming more uncertain about their payments.
The unrest is a bad sign for the Tunisian autocratic government, which is preparing for more measures that will stoke public anger. The IMF has provided a lifeline for Tunisia’s economy by imposing reforms, including cutting the public wage bill as well as subsidies. These measures are fiercely opposed and defended by major labor unions.
Source: north africa post
