Two Shot in Somalia Food Riots

Thousands protest over inflation and soaring prices
By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff
Posted May 5, 2008 10:31 AM CDT
Two Shot in Somalia Food Riots
Somali's demonstrate against high food prices, Monday, May 5, 2008 in the capital Mogadishu.   (AP Photo/Mohamed Sheikh Nor)

Soldiers shot and killed at least two people in Somalia as thousands rioted over inflation and soaring food prices. A recent rash of counterfeiting has led some merchants to only accept US dollars, instead of local shillings, the BBC reports. In response, angry Somalis threw rocks and burned tires, shouting, "Down with the dollar-receivers."

"The money we are given is worth nothing as it has been refused and our children are dying because of hunger," says one woman. Last week, the UN said half of the Somali population will require food aid by the end of the year thanks to drought and hyperinflation. (More Somalia stories.)

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