An overview
The rebellion of Tunisia was also known as the Jasmine revolution that resulted to the exit of President Ben Ali from office. This situation within the region of Tunisia was the beginning of the Arab Spring. The Jasmine revolution was also called the Colour revolution, which involved other countries like Yugoslavia, Lebanon (Cedar revolution), Georgia (Rose Revolution) etc. Participants in the colour revolution were mostly nonviolent resistance (civil resistance) that used demonstrations, strike, and protests against their governments that were seen as corrupt. The revolution promoted democracy and urged for change. As we look at the Jasmine revolution, what is promoted, where it started, and what it stood for, it is easy to see how this revolution quickly evolved into the eruption were know as the Arab Spring that influenced so many other countries.
The Tunisian Revolution started on the 18th of December 2010. The release of President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali in January 2011 was the goal of the movement. The war for democracy and release of a corrupt president was ideal for Tunisia. The Release of President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali led to the democratization that were see today within Tunisia. As we saw earlier, that spark for the rebelion was followed by the setting fire of Mohamed Bouazizi on December 17 2010. Demonstrations were sparked by this tragic case, and continued to surge by the inflation of food, corruption, unelployment, and lack of political freedom and free speech. [1]
After President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali was released from office, the country went into a state of emergency. Meaning, the government has the power to suspend or changed functions of the executive, legistaltive, or the Judiciary. [2] It alerts citizens to change their ways and behavior, and in this case, elected a new president named Fouad Mebazaa. This did not go over well for the people of Tunisia, and led to the release of their prime minister Mohamed Ghannouchi on the 27th of February 2011. Tunisia was one of the countries that participated in the Arab Spring that was truly successful. The other countries however, were not so fortunate, and are fighting until today for the democracy and release of corrupt governments that they seek.
The Tunisian Revolution started on the 18th of December 2010. The release of President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali in January 2011 was the goal of the movement. The war for democracy and release of a corrupt president was ideal for Tunisia. The Release of President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali led to the democratization that were see today within Tunisia. As we saw earlier, that spark for the rebelion was followed by the setting fire of Mohamed Bouazizi on December 17 2010. Demonstrations were sparked by this tragic case, and continued to surge by the inflation of food, corruption, unelployment, and lack of political freedom and free speech. [1]
After President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali was released from office, the country went into a state of emergency. Meaning, the government has the power to suspend or changed functions of the executive, legistaltive, or the Judiciary. [2] It alerts citizens to change their ways and behavior, and in this case, elected a new president named Fouad Mebazaa. This did not go over well for the people of Tunisia, and led to the release of their prime minister Mohamed Ghannouchi on the 27th of February 2011. Tunisia was one of the countries that participated in the Arab Spring that was truly successful. The other countries however, were not so fortunate, and are fighting until today for the democracy and release of corrupt governments that they seek.
President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali
President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali had ruled Tunisia since 1987. He was unfavored by the public of Tunisia for his favor of foreign investment, and the repression of political opposition. The problem with the situation of President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali governing was not that of the people, they did not lack a voice that could be heard. It was the internal and external corruption that festered within Tunisia that was suppressed and muted by the United States and France. [3]
The United States and France supported the governing of President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali, thus, all political uproar was hardly moved to any major news headlines. The people of Tunisia were held down by their broken government, and had major countries like France and the United States to support the repression.
The United States and France supported the governing of President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali, thus, all political uproar was hardly moved to any major news headlines. The people of Tunisia were held down by their broken government, and had major countries like France and the United States to support the repression.
Mohamed Bouazizi
Mohamed Bouazizi (the man who set himself on fire) was the start of public outrage, leading to protests. Mohamed Bouazizi was a merchant in Tunisia who sold vegetables by cart. He was the sole income provider for his family of eight working for 10-dinar a day (7USD). On the 17th of December a policewoman confiscated his cart, fined him 10-dinar, insulted his deceased father, and slapped Bouazizi. Bouazizi being humiliated and distressed over losing his only source of income went to the provincial headquarters to complain, where he was refused. Within an hour, Bouazizi returned to the headquarters, setting himself on fire in an act of protest. Bouazizi was burned terribly, and died on the 4th of January 2011.[4] When the uproar began, it was hardly noticed through the news. Social media sites like Facebook and youtube were the only sources that could provide these people with some sort of voice.
The Protests
Protest were sparked throughout the country. Tear gas was used by police, increased violence, and a continual shift towards a revolution. There were a number of other self destructive protests that occurred after the incident of Bouazizi. Electricution of ones self to protest for the hungry and jobless, fatal shots by police, and suicides arose due to the protesting and the way things were turning.
The protests how ever, were very successful. There was support coming in from different sources, and eventually led to the news report and social media outcry that Tunisia needed. On January 6th over 95% of Tunisia lawyers went of strike in support of the revolution. This increased police brutality. The use of riot gear, and beating protesters with batons increased at immense rate, and the protesters did not hold back. burning of tires, buildings and cars increased in response to arrests and other political distress.
The protests how ever, were very successful. There was support coming in from different sources, and eventually led to the news report and social media outcry that Tunisia needed. On January 6th over 95% of Tunisia lawyers went of strike in support of the revolution. This increased police brutality. The use of riot gear, and beating protesters with batons increased at immense rate, and the protesters did not hold back. burning of tires, buildings and cars increased in response to arrests and other political distress.
Coming to An End of President Zine El Abiding Ali
On Decemnber 28, President Zine El Abidine Ali criticized people for their protest. He warned them of firm punishment, and claimed false allegations toward himself. on January 26, Ben Ali left the country where he was wanted for international arrest warrants. By this time of January 14, Ben Ali made the government declared a state of emergency in an act to protect Tunisian property. People were bared from gathering in groups, and were shot if they tried to run. [5] on January 15, Ben Ali had officially resigned.
Immediate results were still seen to be violence and brutality among the people of Tunisia. Social media played a big role in this. Some internet privilege was brought back, including youtube and facebook, though only 20% of the population were able to have access of these sites. This was cruscial to the people of Tunisia to word their opoinions and voices after such trauma. In the end, as Al Jazeer believes the ousting of the president means the "glass ceiling of fear has been for ever shattered in Tunisia and that the police state that Ben Ali created in 1987 when he came to power in a coup seems to be disintegrating”, leaving Tunisia in a much better state than it had once been under President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali.
Immediate results were still seen to be violence and brutality among the people of Tunisia. Social media played a big role in this. Some internet privilege was brought back, including youtube and facebook, though only 20% of the population were able to have access of these sites. This was cruscial to the people of Tunisia to word their opoinions and voices after such trauma. In the end, as Al Jazeer believes the ousting of the president means the "glass ceiling of fear has been for ever shattered in Tunisia and that the police state that Ben Ali created in 1987 when he came to power in a coup seems to be disintegrating”, leaving Tunisia in a much better state than it had once been under President Zine El Abiding Ben Ali.
Works Cited
[1] Spencer, Richard (13 January 2011). "Tunisia riots: Reform or be overthrown, US tells Arab states amid fresh riots". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[2] Judson, A.-M. (2012). Where is R2P grounded in International law? (Thesis, Master of Arts). University of Otago. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/2279 Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[3] Ahelbarra, Hashem. "Tunisia: The end of an era | Al Jazeera Blogs". Blogs.aljazeera.net. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[4] "Tunisian who sparked rare protests dies: relatives -Reuters". Reuters. 5 January 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
[5] Maktabi, Rima (15 January 2011). "Tunisian PM takes over as interim president as Ben Ali flees". CNN. Retrieved 28 November 2014.