Political Unrest In Jordan

It is safe to say that by now, the citizens of Jordan are no strangers to political unrests and protests. The staggering economic conditions, back in 2011, fueled the infamous 2011-2012 Jordanian protests which raised concerns about Jordan’s economic and political state.

The citizens raised their voices against the recent surge of prices and demanded that the Prime Minister and his government be dismissed The nation also witnessed violence against journalists and demonstrators. A memorandum signed by a majority of lawmakers demanding the dismissal of the prime minister led the king to name Awn Shawkat Al- Khasawneh as the head of the government.

Furthermore, an announcement by the Prime Minister, Abdullah Ensour, stating that the prices of fuel and other goods would be raised led to yet another series of protests. The protesters blocked roads, smashed traffic lights in various cities of Jordan.

In March 2021, history repeated itself for the third time. The people of Jordan, unfortunately, once again took to Amman to protests against the extension of the curfew in response to the pandemic and the death of 9 hospital patients due in a government hospital owing to alleged hospital negligence and shortage of oxygen supplies. The majority of the protesters demanded the government’s resignation and the suspension of emergency laws in the place due to the outset of the pandemic. As dozens of protesters took to various cities to protest, the government authorities had to employ the riot police to handle the situation. The riot police officers had to use tear gas to calm the raging mob.

As the deathly pandemic goes on, the political conditions in Jordan only deteriorate. We can only hope that they become better with time.

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