459:
of the rioters were young and poor, including farmers, seasonal workers and the unemployed. Women supported the rioters, and in some cases participated. Thus in the small southern town of Al-Mabrouka a group of women workers in a textile factory marched into the town chanting slogans against the price rise. They were joined by men, students and even children, and the mob went on to storm the police station, party headquarters, town hall and
National Guard headquarters. Security forces fired on the protesters, killing several people. The riots spread to the industrial center of
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105:
319:
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jostling for position in anticipation of the aging president's death or resignation. The southern region had been suffering from a drought, which caused a poor harvest. Many of the men in this region traditionally left to work in the coastal towns of
Tunisia or as migrant laborers in Libya, and were having difficulty finding work. Open political opposition to the government had recently been expressed in the south, which the government blamed on "foreign-inspired agitators", pointing the finger at Libyans and Lebanese.
496:
tear gas. In Tunis "Barricades went up everywhere. Again and again, troops opened fire on the crowds with automatic weapons. Tanks and armored personnel carriers rumbled through the streets, often firing on anything that moved. Many protestors were killed, and many more wounded, including women and children." The army even used helicopters against the protesters. They had restored order by 5 January 1984. By the time the protests ended more than 150 of the rioters had been killed.
325:
505:
26:
475:, a major port city, twelve people were killed and twenty were injured. On Sunday January 1st 1984, a peaceful protest occurred in the city of Gafsa, organized by Umar Thabet Qaadir, who served as the leader of the local branc of the Human Rights League. However, the protest was met with a heavy police presence. On Tuesday 3 January 1984 a state of emergency was declared after the unrest had spread to
540:, MTI) had been behind the riots, and arrested many of its supporters. The MTI leaders had encouraged their followers to join in the riots, but the government produced no proof that they had organized them. The persecution of the MTI enhanced its reputation as an organization committed to helping the people. As part of a clamp-down on the opposition, General
492:
wealthy neighborhoods and set fire to luxury cars. There was a feeling that the elite were wealthy only because of their political connections. They took the wealth of the country and spent it on imported goods, contributing little if anything to the country. Islamist slogans included "There is but one God and
Bourghiba is the enemy of God."
544:
was reappointed director-general of national security. Soon after Ben Ali was made minister of the interior. The 1984 riots set the stage for the constitutional coup staged by Ben Ali in 1987. Under Ben Ali's administration, a neoliberal economic system was implemented which worsened tensions between
524:
Relations with Libya soured after the riots, with the
Tunisian government implying that Libya had been involved in stirring up the trouble. Libya denied any involvement. As the price of oil continued to drop, thousands of workers from Libya and other oil states returned to Tunisia, further weakening
458:
in the south. Riots began in the poverty-stricken and marginalized oases of this region. Although the price rise was the trigger, underlying causes were growing social and economic difficulties. There was speculation that the disturbances were in part fueled by grievances among
Islamist groups. Most
410:
In the 1970s, the
Tunisian economy experienced high levels of growth (roughly 8% annually) due to agricultural and petroleum exports in addition to growing tourism. By the early 1980s, though, the European economy stagnated. This had affected Tunisia since its economy relied on exports to Europe and
495:
A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed, all schools were closed and public gatherings of over three people were banned. Bus service was suspended and shops and cafes closed. Soldiers and riot police were deployed in the streets and at crossroads. The rioters hurled rocks at policemen, who responded with
433:
During these riots, bread served as a symbol in opposition to poverty, oppression, and neoliberal economic policy. The subsidies were removed at a time of growing political tension. Leftist parties were becoming more popular, as were the
Islamist movements, while members of the political elite were
429:
and 10% of the state budget. The subsidies favored the wealthy as much as the poor. The decision was announced on 29 December 1983, and led to an immediate rise in the price of bread and flour. Prices went up by over 100%. The increase, the first in fifteen years, directly affected the poor. Some
491:
The rioters looted and burned shops, destroyed street signs, attacked cars and buses and attacked public buildings. Local observers of the riots said the protesters showed "rage" or "hatred" against the rich as well as the authorities. They attacked shops that sold luxury goods, rampaged through
520:
had not been authorized to raise prices. The handling of the price rise damaged the position of Mzali, who had been seen as the probable successor to
Bourguiba. The prime minister temporarily assumed the post of Minister of the Interior. In an attempt to recover his popularity Mzali toured the
486:
The rioters were supported by students, who went on strike in solidarity. Many protestors initially joined in the streets with bread prices as their main focus, chanting the slogan, "Bourguiba, you are generous, leave us the bread at 80 millimes." However, the police response was massive. The
521:
provinces after the riots, promising projects to create new jobs. Mzali said, "the first lesson to be drawn from the events of
January was that it is necessary to reorganise the forces of order so that they can respond adequately to all situations."
565:
The official findings were that 89 people died and 938 were wounded, of whom 348 belonged to the security forces. The
Tunisian Human Rights Defense League estimated that 110 people died. Other sources put the number of dead at "over 150".
545:
the Tunisian people and the government. Ben Ali was himself exiled in 2011. Hunger has continued in Tunisia since 2011, in 2022 the World bank stepped in by providing a loan to lessen the impact of the impact which the
415:
towards the end of 1983 further reduced revenue. In August of 1983, there were several increases in the price of basic foods and goods, leading to the average cost-of-living increasing by 8%.
529:, who took the blame for the way the disturbances had been handled. Guida was later accused of corruption and treason. Bourguiba also dismissed the ministers who had supported the IMF loan.
549:
will put on locals and farmers. In the long term, this loan is hoped to help lessen the country's reliance on imports, which will hopefully keep more income within their borders.
487:
demonstrators roamed the streets yelling anti-government slogans and attacking symbols of power, encouraged by onlookers in the windows and on rooftops. Slogans included:
995:
422:(IMF). The IMF loan was conditional on government spending cuts, removal of exchange controls, elimination of protective tariffs and devaluation of the currency.
1354:
516:
President Bourguiba announced on 6 January 1984 that the increase in the price of bread and flour had been cancelled. He gave the impression that Prime Minister
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declared a state of emergency and the riots were put down by force. Over 100 rioters died. The regime was weakened by the upheavals and the aftermath of
349:
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The government decided to end subsidies on wheat and semolina, the main ingredients of bread. At the time, food subsidies accounted for 3.1% of
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1163:"Structural Adjustment: Former President Ben Ali's Gift to Tunisia (Part One) Tunisia and the International Monetary Fund"
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that occurred from December 1983 to January 1984, triggered by a rise in the price of bread due to an IMF-imposed
1379:
194:
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141:
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310:
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419:
641:"Riot and Rebellion: Political Responses to Economic Crisis in North Africa, Tunisia, Morocco and Sudan"
1399:
489:“Power, murderer, is this your policy of openness?” and “We are hungry, and the bread is 170 millimes.”
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tourists from Europe. The government was struggling to meet rising expenses when a fall in the
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The first riots were on Thursday 29 December 1983 in the semi-desert region of
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25:
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583:"From the New State to the New Era: Toward a Second Republic in Tunisia"
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Tunisian families spent 80% of their food budget on bread and semolina.
606:
582:
512:
on January 7, 1984, announcing the cancellation of bread price increase
504:
1099:
The Making of the Tunisian Revolution: Contexts, Architects, Prospects
996:"New World Bank Project Addresses Food Security Challenges in Tunisia"
460:
395:
387:
722:"The Fair Value of Bread: Tunisia, 28 December 1983–6 January 1984"
455:
1225:
899:
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683:
468:
383:
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1125:"29 décembre 1983: Déclenchement des émeutes du pain en Tunisie"
894:
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the economy. Bourguiba dismissed the Minister of the Interior,
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Free Markets and Food Riots: The Politics of Global Adjustment
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971:, Liverpool University Press, pp. 170–181, 2018-11-21,
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Pictures of the damage caused by bread riots published by
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418:President Bourguiba agreed to seek a loan from the
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1202:Middle East Contemporary Survey, Vol. 8, 1983-84
1022:
769:
1067:Islam, Democracy, and the State in North Africa
1024:"Curfew Imposed Across Tunisia as Riots Spread"
689:
654:
1355:Attacks on buildings and structures in Tunisia
1245:Walton, John K.; Seddon, David (2008-09-15).
1181:"Tunisia Report Places Blame for Bread Riots"
382:) were a series of violent demonstrations in
343:
1244:
1198:
927:
903:
844:
817:
802:
1350:Attacks on buildings and structures in 1984
1345:Attacks on buildings and structures in 1983
30:Crowd in Africa Square, Tunis, January 1984
1144:"Tunisia's riots pose troubling questions"
580:
350:
336:
737:
1227:"Tunisia: Bourguiba Lets Them Eat Bread"
503:
441:
1360:Attacks on police stations in the 1980s
1179:
1062:
915:
859:
832:
790:
1277:
1160:
726:International Review of Social History
719:
684:Tunisia: Bourguiba Lets Them Eat Bread
638:
626:
532:The government was convinced that the
1199:Shaked, Haim; Dishon, Daniel (1986).
1390:Attacks on police stations in Africa
1141:
1122:
1095:
1071:. Indiana University Press. p.
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939:
888:
871:
715:
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709:
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1285:Riots and civil disorder in Tunisia
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13:
1385:20th-century mass murder in Africa
969:Tunisian Women's Writing in French
538:Mouvement de la Tendence Islamique
14:
1436:
704:
39:29 December 1983 – 5 January 1984
1142:Lief, Louise (10 January 1984).
323:
317:
103:
24:
1330:1984 labor disputes and strikes
1325:1983 labor disputes and strikes
988:
957:
559:
1310:December 1983 events in Africa
639:Seddon, David (October 1986).
632:
574:
1:
1315:January 1984 events in Africa
1161:Prince, Rob (15 April 2013).
1063:Entelis, John Pierre (1997).
552:
405:
85:
72:
720:Dakhli, Leyla (April 2021).
499:
398:. Three years later General
7:
1102:. Oxford University Press.
547:Russian invasion of Ukraine
420:International Monetary Fund
10:
1441:
1395:Attacks on shops in Africa
1365:Police brutality in Africa
1205:. The Moshe Dayan Center.
1123:Guay, Jean-Herman (2015).
1015:
271:Socialist Destourian Party
162:Tunisian national movement
1420:Arson attacks on vehicles
1335:Labor disputes in Tunisia
1251:. John Wiley & Sons.
1148:Christian Science Monitor
739:10.1017/S0020859021000110
581:Vandewalle, Dirk (1988).
534:Islamic Tendency Movement
437:
402:seized power in a coup.
81:
68:
63:
55:
43:
35:
23:
18:
1187:. Reuters. 23 April 1984
928:Shaked & Dishon 1986
904:Walton & Seddon 2008
845:Walton & Seddon 2008
818:Walton & Seddon 2008
803:Walton & Seddon 2008
112:This article is part of
1425:Libya–Tunisia relations
1167:Foreign Policy in Focus
542:Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
400:Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
241:Code of Personal Status
1380:Mass murder in Tunisia
977:10.2307/j.ctv3029kf2.9
513:
451:
427:gross domestic product
371:
770:Associated Press 1984
507:
445:
276:Arab Islamic Republic
1096:Gana, Nouri (2013).
364:Tunisian bread riots
286:Operation Wooden Leg
249:President of Tunisia
222:Ksar Hellal Congress
212:Naturalization issue
19:Tunisian bread riots
1375:Mass murder in 1984
1370:Mass murder in 1983
587:Middle East Journal
390:program. President
207:L'Action Tunisienne
59:Food price increase
1050:Unknown parameter
906:, p. 204–205.
514:
463:by Sunday, and to
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1400:Looting in Africa
1258:978-0-470-71271-9
1233:. 16 January 1984
1212:978-965-224-006-4
1129:Perspective Monde
1109:978-0-7486-9103-6
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1030:. 4 January 1984
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154:Political career
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1405:Arson in Africa
1340:Student strikes
1305:1984 in Tunisia
1300:1983 in Tunisia
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471:by Monday . In
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392:Habib Bourguiba
372:Ă©meutes du pain
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1028:New York Times
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944:
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930:, p. 588.
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847:, p. 201.
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835:, p. 101.
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732:(S29): 41–68.
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518:Mohammed Mzali
508:Front page of
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1415:Arson in 1984
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1410:Arson in 1983
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1082:0-253-21131-X
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1052:|agency=
1044:
1029:
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1021:
1020:
1001:
997:
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978:
974:
970:
966:
960:
954:, p. 22.
953:
948:
942:, p. 67.
941:
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929:
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918:, p. 82.
917:
912:
905:
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898:
891:, p. 66.
890:
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874:, p. 11.
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820:, p. 88.
819:
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805:, p. 87.
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648:la.utexas.edu
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1262:. Retrieved
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1235:. Retrieved
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1216:. Retrieved
1201:
1189:. Retrieved
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1170:. Retrieved
1166:
1151:. Retrieved
1147:
1132:. Retrieved
1128:
1113:. Retrieved
1098:
1086:. Retrieved
1066:
1043:cite journal
1032:. Retrieved
1027:
1003:. Retrieved
999:
990:
980:, retrieved
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187:1934 to 1939
183:1930 to 1934
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627:Prince 2013
527:Driss Guiga
380:ŘŁŘداث الخبز
281:Bread riots
236:Premiership
217:Neo Destour
171:Bourguibism
1320:Food riots
1295:1984 riots
1290:1983 riots
1279:Categories
1264:2015-05-13
1237:2015-05-12
1218:2015-05-13
1191:2015-05-12
1172:2015-05-12
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1088:2015-05-13
1034:2015-05-12
1005:2023-10-13
1000:World Bank
982:2023-10-06
593:(4): 606.
553:References
406:Background
396:food riots
299:Later life
258:Presidency
178:Chronology
142:Early life
76: 150
64:Casualties
1054:ignored (
952:Gana 2013
940:Gana 2013
889:Gana 2013
872:Gana 2013
748:0020-8590
699:Lief 1984
672:Guay 2015
599:0026-3141
510:La Presse
500:Aftermath
461:Kasserine
448:La Presse
388:austerity
56:Caused by
456:Nefzaoua
137:Ancestry
82:Injuries
69:Death(s)
44:Location
1016:Sources
965:"Notes"
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450:in 1984
384:Tunisia
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376:Arabic
368:French
304:Legacy
644:(PDF)
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477:Tunis
469:Gabès
465:Gafsa
1253:ISBN
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1056:help
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