PARIS - Surging food and energy prices stoked by the war in Ukraine may lead to "social unrest" in Africa, the International Monetary Fund warned on Thursday.
"The war compounds some of the region’s most pressing policy challenges, including the social and economic scarring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, security risks in several countries, and the challenges posed by climate change." Food prices monitored by the Food and Agriculture Organization surged 12.6% between February and March, reaching their highest levels since the index was launched in 1990, the UN's agency said on April 8. The previous record high was set in 2011.Africa is dependent on imports for 85% of its wheat consumption, and this dependence is especially high in Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Mozambique.
So-called food riots broke out in Africa, notably in Senegal, as well as in parts of Asia and the Caribbean in March 2008 when the last major food crisis erupted.