Tunisia

The 2010-2011 Tunisian resolution consisted of a series of street demonstrations and other acts of civil resistance. The revolution resulted in the ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.  He had been the president of Tunisia since 1987.  While his government had been criticized by media and NGOs, it was supported by the US and France.

Origin of the conflict

The Tunisian protesters called for extensive economic and social change in the country. Main concerns were the high unemployment, inflation of food prices, lack of freedom of speech, lack of political freedom, poor living conditions and corruption. The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi was a catalyst for the protests. Mohamed, a street vendor, set himself on fire in December 2010 after his wares were confiscated and he was allegedly harassed and humiliated by a policewoman.

Chronological timeline

  • December 17, 2010: Mohamed Bouazizi sets himself on fire. Protests begin in Sidi Bouzid the same day.
  • December 24: Two protesters are shot and killed by the police during violent demonstrations.
  • December 27: Protests reaches the capital, Tunis. About 1.000 Tunisians are calling for jobs to show their solidarity with the protesters in poorer regions.
  • December 28: President Ben Ali warns on national television that the protests will have a negative effect on the economy and that the law will be applied firmly to punish protesters.
  • January 2, 2011: The hacktivist group Anonymous announces Operation Tunisia; in solidarity with the protests it will attack a number of Tunisian state-run websites.
  • January 3: Peaceful protests in Thala turn violent after the police try to stop it by firing tear gas.
  • January 6: Accordingly 95% of Tunisia's 8,000 lawyers go on strike to demand an end to police brutality against peaceful protesters.
  • January 10: The government announces the indefinite closure of all schools and universities in order to quell the unrest.
  • January 14: President Ben Ali imposes a state of emergency and fires the government. He promises elections within six months. Prime minister Mohammed Ghannouchi assumes the role of interim president. President Ben Ali eventually manages to flee to Saudi Arabia.
  • January 17: The new cabinet is announced. Protests against the presence of RCD members (the governing party before the president was ousted) start and will occur daily after this day.

Response of the international community

The Tunisian protests inspired similar actions throughout the Arab world, such as in Egypt (which led to the ouster of its president Mubarak), Algeria, Yemen, Jordan and Pakistan.
US President Obama applauded the courage and dignity of protesting Tunisians and another US official said they hope the Tunisian revolution will be an example for the rest of the region to reform.
EU officials expressed support for the democratic aspirations of the Tunisian people and the interim government.

Sources