Tunisian Revolution

The Tunisian Revolution or the Dignity Revolution (called the Jasmine Revolution outside Tunisia) was a revolution in Tunisia in 2010 and 2011 which led to the fall of the Ali Dictatorship and the creation of a liberal representative democracy.

Background

Main Article: Ali Dictatorship

For 23 years, Tunisia had been under the dictatorship of Ben Ali, a one-party state that not only restricted the media but also repressed political opposition (notably backed by the US and France). Compounded with high unemployment, inflation, corruption and poor living conditions it was a breeding ground for revolt. On the 17 of the December, Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor who sold fruit and vegetables who has been harassed repeatedly by city officials ended up burning himself in public in front of the city headquarters after his requests to take back his produce was denied, sparking the revolution.

Events

Following Bouazizi's self-burning, protests occurred in the city, and protesters began to attack shop windows and cars, leading to police attacking them. Tear gas was fired onto protesters and extra police posted as protesters gathered outside the capital. Several other protesters killed themselves and police shot several protesters, and curfews were imposed. Violence exploded across the country, as trade unions began to organise protest marches and protesters began to attack police and set fire to tires. Hacking began of governments websites began and Tunisia's lawyers went on strike, with teachers joining the following day. Protsters set fire to buses and cars, leading to the military being deployed.

On the 28th of December, Ben Ali fired several ministers and announced the creation of 300,000 jobs. He accused the protesters of being extremists, gang members and foreign mercenaries. Political prisoners were released and all schools and universities were closed. On the 14th of January the government was dissolved, the airport was closed, a state of emergency declared and elections were called. Ben Ali later fled that day to Malta under Libyan protection before fleeing to Saudi Arabia after being denied entry to France.

A temporary government was set up to organise elections and maintain law and order. Looting continued and the main train station of Tunis (the largest and capital city of Tunisia) was burnt. A prison director in Mahdia freed about 1,000 inmates following a prison rebellion that left 5 people dead. Many other prisons also had jailbreaks or raids from external groups to force prisoner releases, some suspected to be aided by prison guards. Residents who were running out of necessary food supplies had armed themselves and barricaded their homes, and in some cases had formed armed neighborhood watches. The police, pro-Ali militias and the state security service were vying for control and several gunfights erupted between the groups.

The new government saw daily protests, leading to it quickly dissolving itself. The next government announced that all prisoners would be freed, all political parties legalised in six months and transparent and free elections in six months. Police soon joined the protesters for increased pay and the army firmly defended the revolution. The new government fulfilled protester demands, and elections were held on the 23rd of October, 2011.

Results

The revolution resulted in several things, notably:

• The revolution triggered the wider (and much less successful) Arab Spring and a wave of protests, revolts and strikes across the world in 2011.
• Creation of a liberal representative democracy in Tunisia.
• Massive expansion of women's rights.
• Greater internet freedom, access to Tor and YouTube.
• 4,000 refugees fleeing to Italy.

Analysis

The Tunisian Revolution has been heavily analysed for it being the only successful revolution of the Arab Spring (arguably alongside Rojava), several factors for this success have been proposed, especially in comparison to the failed revolution in Egypt.

• The military stayed out of politics.
• Tunisia lacked severe religious and ethnic tensions, with the religious right refusing to enact Sharia Law and accepting an equal rights amendment for women. Secularists did not attempt to restrict religious organisations.
• Tunisia had large and independent trade unions.

References

Tunisian Revolution at Wikipedia

Why Tunisia’s Transition to Democracy is Succeeding while Egypt Falters