For years now, there have been signs of widespread unrest in the Arab world. Poverty, gross socio-economic disparities, endemic corruption and political stagnation are problems facing many Arab countries. But the main issue remains the stark levels of unemployment and lack of economic opportunities for the young and restless millions across the region.
And that explains the protests that brought down the government of Tunisia two weeks ago, and which threaten the establishment in Egypt, as that country witnesses some of the worst civil unrest in its modern history. Nations as far afield as Algeria and Yemen, too, are staring at turmoil. Even when Egypt saw riots on this scale the last time — in 1977 — it was over bread and butter issues.
The Egyptian authorities would be well-advised not to interpret the present unrest and airing of genuine grievances as just a security threat. Talk of increase in minimum wage may now be considered too little, too late by the jobless graduates in the country.
The lesson to be learnt by governments across the region is this: the power of the youth is not to be taken lightly. About 100 million young people are expected to enter the job market in the next 10 years in the Arab world.
A lack of economic opportunities is in evidence in too many countries in the Middle East, where more than 25 per cent of the youth are unemployed. In order to avoid the type of unrest that is engulfing some countries in the region, governments must create jobs and institute genuine political, economic and social reforms.
It must be remembered that a young, educated populace with unfulfilled dreams is a ticking time bomb.
