Tunisia has been marking 5 years since the uprising that ousted long time president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The Tunisian revolution marked the start of a wave of protests across the middle east.
It was in front of the local government building that a desperate Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor, set himself on fire dying a few weeks later in hospital. His actions sparked protests across the country. Less than a month later Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia’s president for 23 years, fled the country.
Today, Sidi Bouzid is commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Tunisian revolution, people are here to remember the demands of the revolution, freedom, jobs, and dignity. But for many, things have not changed. Mohamed has been out of work for 3 years. He says there’s no political will to improve things here
Young people like jihad are disillusioned with the promises of Tunisian political classes of growth and prosperity. One in every two university graduates in Tunisia is unemployed.
The lack of development and marginalisation of this region did not only spark the revolution, but it also made youth vulnerable and easy to recruit by terrorist groups. Many young people in regions like this joined ISIS in Syria and Libya. Security has also deteriorated in Tunisia with three major attacks in the past year.
Houcine Abassi is the secretary general of Tunisia Labour union, and part of the national quartet which won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
“We know he government can not magically meet people demands in a short time but the lack of vision and clarity for the future of young people. The problem is that there is not clear vision or a strategy that reassures us.” Houcine Abassi, Secretary General of Tunisia’s labour union
Tunisian politicians understand the divide between the regions of Tunisia is one of the root causes of terrorism. But have so far failed to reduce the gap.
A new generation has high expectations. And they have the freedom to express themselves. Something that may not have been possible without the death of this young man.
