Sata fears food riots over high prices
2013-01-08 08:38
Lusaka - Zambia's president Michael Sata warned on Monday
that high food prices could spark riots, which toppled a previous government,
as he put pressure on millers to keep prices down.
Speaking before meeting millers, who have been selling
mealie meal at steep prices, Sata said the nation's founding president Kenneth
Kaunda lost power in 1991 over food riots.
"If you don't protect the people, I am going to protect
them myself. When people rioted during Kenneth Kaunda's time, it's the food
riots ...that caused him to be removed from power. I don't want food
riots," Sata said.
Prices for staple food mealie meal rose sharply last
December, from 45 kwacha ($8.50) up to 80 kwacha ($15) per bag of 25kg in
outlets in the capital Lusaka.
Most of the impoverished southern African nation's people
cannot afford the increase.
Millers have argued that the high cost of maize from the
government reserves, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), sparked the price hike.
- SAPA
