Africa's Insecurity Over Food Prices Revealed By Riots In Mozambique

After riots that left 13 dead and over 400 injured, the Mozambique cabinet lowered the price of bread. [REUTERS]

Mozambique Bread Riots May Be Warning Sign On African Food Security -- Christian Science Monitor

As global wheat prices rise, Africans are feeling the pinch when buying something as simple as bread. Mozambique bread riots could be a warning sign for African nations who have leased fertile agricultural land to foreign countries.

I have a supreme conviction that global food markets are but the perturbation of a butterflys's wing away from a serious tipping point. In fact, I would venture that the best way to play the narrative fallacy that is the "Global Climate Change Denial Camp" is via buying a basket of breakfast commodities and grains. There are more of us, our average calorific intake is a multiple of what it was, and we have toasted the planet -- capping global agricultural output. Narrowing that perception gap and converting it into real action is going to be like herding cats.

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More News On Africa's/Mozambique's Food Crisis

Mozambique government reverses bread price hike -- AP
Mozambique Restores Subsidy To Reverse Bread Price Hike -- RTT News
Mozambique lowers cost of bread -- Al JAzeera
Mozambique reverses bread price rise in wake of riots -- BBC
150 arrested in Mozambique following deadly protests -- The Telegraph
Mozambique food riots belie African agricultural success -- Christian Science Monitor
Food Crisis Worsens in Central Africa -- New York Times
Wheat price spike raises food insecurity: UN expert -- The National
U.N. agency to hold special meeting over food prices -- CNN

Do Hot, Dry Conditions Cause More African Civil Wars?

From Discover Magazine:

We’ve covered industries and species that climate change will affect, but is more war the next side effect of a warming world? A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ties warmer temperatures to higher incidence of civil wars in Africa. The scientists warn that the continent could see 54 percent more armed conflict—and almost 400,000 more war deaths—by 2030 if climate projections prove true.

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My Comment: Warmer temperatures will also mean longer growing periods (definitely in the Northern Hemisphere), and less use of energy to heat one's homes.

Food and its scarcity has always been (justifiably) linked to conflict and war. But in Africa's case, conflict and war has always been the "normal" state of affairs for as long as I can remember. It is easy for governments and their supporters to point to external reasons for their problems (i.e. global warming), but from where I stand, it appears that in Africa's case many of their problems are of their own making.

The Causes Of Africa's Food Riots

West African Rice Farmer

From The Washington Times:

Food prices have skyrocketed internationally. In my own Nigeria, rice has epitomized the crisis after doubling in price since last year.

Riots around the world over food supplies are prompting panicked governments to find solutions to stem the crisis. Whether they will bring about an abundance of food is debatable.

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My Comment: Zimbabwe is not the only country that has destroyed its farm and food sector. Much of Africa is doing the same thing, but in a less forceful manner. Food .... or the lack of it .... is one of the many means that dictatorial or corrupt countries use in controlling their populations. Mugabe controls his population through intimidation, murder, and giving food to those who support him or who promise to remain neutral. In Africa and in the rest of the world the focus is on him, but he is one of many African tyrants or corrupt societies that are now successfully pursuing this policy.