Bread As A Political Phenomenon: Bread Riot in Egypt in 2008

Abstract

As we know from political history, people have rebelled against their administrators due to famines. The last ring of rebellions, also called bread riots or IMF rebellions, took place in 2007-2008. The reasons as the global increase in food prices, neo-liberal social policies and socio-political conditions of countries have played a leading role in the emergence of riots in many countries from South America to Africa. In this conjuncture, the demonstrations that started in Egypt in April 2008 have turned into an anti-regime protest which has been attended by disadvantaged groups such as workers, women and youth. The protests were only suppressed by the harsh intervention of the regime. African countries, especially Egypt, were not able to manage this crisis well and the causes of bread riots were among the reasons for the Arab Spring which was seen in the following period. This context gives us the opportunity to read the 2007-2008 revolts as the pioneer of the Arab Spring, which started in 2010.

Keywords

• Bread riots,Egypt,Africa,neoliberalism

Politik Bir Fenomen Olarak Ekmek: 2008 Mısır'ında Ekmek İsyanı

Öz

Tarihin her döneminde insanlar kıtlıklara bağlı olarak yöneticilerine ayaklanmıştır. Ekmek isyanları ya da IMF isyanları olarak da adlandırılan isyanların son halkası 2007-2008 yıllarında gerçekleşmiştir. Gıda fiyatlarında meydana gelen küresel artış, neoliberal politikalar ve ülkelerin sosyo-politik durumları gibi nedenler Güney Amerika'dan Afrika'ya kadar birçok ülkede isyanların ortaya çıkmasında başrol oynamıştır. Bu konjonktürde 2008 yılının nisan ayında Mısır’da başlayan gösteriler zaman içerisinde başta işçiler, kadınlar ve gençler gibi toplumun dezavantajlı kesimlerinin katıldığı rejim karşıtı bir protestoya dönüşmüştür. Protestolar ancak rejimin sert müdahalesi ile bastırılabilmiştir. Başta Mısır olmak üzere Afrika ülkeleri karşı karşıya kaldıkları krizi iyi yönetememiş ve ekmek isyanlarının nedenleri ilerleyen dönemde görülen Arap Baharının da nedenleri arasında yer almıştır. Bu bağlam bize 2007-2008 isyanlarını 2010 yılında başlayan Arap Baharının öncüsü olarak okuma imkânı sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Ekmek isyanı,Mısır,Afrika,neoliberalizm

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