Revolution in Tunisia

In what has been called the Jasmine Revolution, a popular uprising ousted the authoritarian president of Tunisia, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, in January. Demonstrations in Tunis and other cities protested high unemployment, sharply rising food prices, and the lack of political freedom. The rampant corruption of Tunisia’s ruling class also fueled public resentment. When the protests erupted, security forces cracked down on the uprising, and dozens of protesters were killed and many more injured. Despite the repression, street protests continued. The former dictator, who had ruled Tunisia for 23 years, fled into exile in Saudi Arabia.

An interim government brought together members of the official opposition, and elections are expected to be held in mid-2011. The new government released some 1,800 political prisoners and announced that others would soon be freed from jail. But demonstrators rejected the new cabinet as overly dominated by members of Ben Ali’s Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) party, and the opposition pushed for a purge of party members. The new interim government enacted key reforms to allow press freedom and to legalize the activities of human rights groups.

Some observers fear that the uncertainty in Tunisia could lead to a government collapse or even a military coup. The country, which borders Algeria and Libya, has a relatively large middle class and enjoyed relative prosperity and economic stability until recently. But the apparently successful revolution in Tunisia, the first in the region, is inspiring uprisings in other Arab countries across North Africa and the Middle East.

Related Links

• Tunisia
  This article covers revolutionary developments in Tunisia, the African country that some have called “the most European”; includes links to related coverage of unrest in the Arab world.
  (Source: New York Times, January 28, 2011)
• Protesters Call for Ban of Tunisian RCD Party
  This article covers developments in the wake of Tunisia’s revolution; includes links to related stories.
  (Source: VOA News, January 20, 2011)
• Tunisia Country Profile
  The BBC Web site gives vital statistics on the country, including an overview of recent events and a profile of the Tunisia’s interim leader.
  (Source: BBC News, January 18, 2011)
• Turmoil in Tunisia
  Listen to an interview with an Al Jazeera journalist about the possible international implications of the “Jasmine Revolution.”
  (Source: NPR, January 18, 2011)
• Map of Tunisia
  This map shows the North Africa country; its capital, the port city of Tunis, is on the Mediterranean Sea.
  (Source: The University of Texas)