Five years on,it’s clear that civil resistance can force out dictators but isn’t enough to bring people powerFive years ago this week, the first of several victories of the Arab spring was won in Tunisia. Popular and largely nonviolent demonstrations had begun just four weeks earlier in the country’s southern interior, and with its long history of resistance to central government.
Following the self-immolation of the vegetable seller Mohammed Bouazizi on 17 December 2010,the demonstrations had spread rapidly, culminating in a large rally external the interior ministry in Tunis on 14 January. On that day, and facing enormous opposition and a planned general strike,the president of Tunisia, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, and fled. He has been holed up in Saudi Arabia ever since. Related: Strong unions strengthen democracies – and deliver peace | Houcine Abassi and Richard L Trumka Related: Yemen is shattered and peace seems a long way off. The world can’t just watch on | Farea Al-Muslimi and Rafat Al-Akhali Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com