The recent riots withstanding, the Cameroon government has decided to increase the domestic prices for two of the country's most popular rice varities by 15% and 21% respectively.

According to a government statement signed by the commerce ministry, rice importers and merchants, prices of Yaounde Type 25 rice rose 15% to 335 CFA francs (EUR0.51) a kilo from XAF291 while type five rice soared 21% to XAF365 from XAF301.

Despite government moves to keep prices in check since March the price of rice, which has become a staple for city dwellers, has continued to rise in line with those for most other foodstuffs.