FACTBOX: Clashes over food prices trouble political leaders

(Reuters) - Anger over high food and fuel costs in recent months has spawned violent unrest across the world.

Surging food prices due to global supply concerns and heady world futures markets have posed a particular risk to poor economies, especially in Africa, where food makes up a disproportionately large part of household spending and imports.

Here are some details of recent price rise unrest:

* BURKINA FASO:

-- Burkina Faso announced a reduction in customs duties on basic foodstuffs in February after several towns were hit by protests in which over 300 were arrested although most were discharged by the courts.

-- Unions marched earlier this month demanding further cuts in taxes and prices, as well as public sector wage increases, and also threatened a general strike on April 8-9.

* CAMEROON:

-- President Paul Biya raised state salaries by 15 percent and suspended custom duties on basic foodstuffs like fish, rice and cooking oil to ease discontent over high prices after days of rioting.

-- In late February, taxi drivers went on strike to protest at fuel price hikes; the stoppage degenerated into rioting in several towns against the high cost of living and Biya's intention to extend his 25 years in power.

-- The government put the death toll from the clashes at 24, although human rights activists put it at over 100 and said most of the victims were shot dead by police in the commercial capital Douala. The government said 1,671 people were also arrested.

* MAURITANIA:

-- Violent protests against food price increases in Mauritania spread last November to the capital Nouakchott, where police tried to disperse about 1,000 demonstrators. The unrest was triggered by sharp rises in the prices of grains and other basic foodstuffs.

* MOZAMBIQUE:

-- Mozambique agreed to cut the price of diesel fuel for private minibus taxis in February to end a wave of protests over high fuel prices and the rising cost of living.

-- The protests killed six people and injured more than 100 after police clashed with crowds of demonstrators who looted shops, destroyed vehicles and burned electricity poles.

-- Commuters were angered by high fuel costs and a decision, later scrapped, to raise transport fares by 50 percent. The price of petrol has climbed 46 percent and diesel by nearly 90 percent.