The people's uprising in Tunisia was an earthquake that led to the ouster of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's regime on 14/1/2011. However, every earthquake is normally followed by aftershocks, and Tunisia continues to suffer such events four months after the major earthquake. So much so that the ministries of defense and interior both imposed a curfew in the capital and its suburbs last Saturday, effective from five PM to six AM, following unrest and violence and several incidents of robbery and looting. But the first victim of revolution, as in war, is the truth. However, I shall return to this point momentarily, after I note down what is rather the truth about the former regime, which is that it was ousted as a result of both a popular revolt and a military coup. The Tunisian army stood on the side of the people against the president. Here, I quote a U.S. diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks, which, while not necessarily 100 percent true, nonetheless gives a good idea about the situation that prevailed in the past. The cable said, ““Whether it's cash, services, land, property, or yes, even your yacht, President Ben Ali's family is rumored to covet it and reportedly gets what it wants. Beyond the stories of the First Family's shady dealings, Tunisians report encountering low-level corruption as well in interactions with the police, customs, and a variety of government ministries. The economic impact is clear, with Tunisian investors – fearing the long-arm of “the Family” –forgoing new investments, keeping domestic investment rates low and unemployment high. These persistent rumors of corruption, coupled with rising inflation and continued unemployment, have […] contributed to recent protests in southwestern Tunisia…” In other words, even if reports about the corruption of the president's family, especially his wife's family, are overblown, the basis remains true. What are the lies that accompany wars or revolutions then? They involve that slap which reminds us of the rejoinder “Let them eat biscuits” attributed to Queen Marie Antoinette during the French Revolution, but which has been proven not to have been actually uttered by the queen. We had read that the young man Muhammad Bouazizi, who was a peddler, burned himself after the policewoman Fadia Hamdi confiscated his goods and that when he protested she slapped him across the face. Fadia Hamdi remained after that in custody for 111 days, before being fully acquitted by a local court from charges of slapping the young man, who represented the first spark of a revolution of rage that spread afterwards to Egypt and every other Arab country, and continues to threaten many regimes. Today, the aftershocks in Tunisia continue following the big earthquake. Some of these are strong, or significant, such as the calls by protesters for the government of Beji Caid el Sebsi to step down, and others minor such as when garbage collectors set their ‘goods' on fire in the city's downtown, demanding higher wages. Further, there are those among the youths of the revolution who remain unemployed and are paid nothing whatsoever. This is while we are reading about unrest in cities outside of the capital such as in Gabes and Sidi Bouzid, where the spark of the revolution was first started. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior remains surrounded by barbed wire and tanks for protection, since it was the symbol of the former regime's oppression, and since there continues to be strong public resentment against it despite the transitional government. This government is in turn under accusation, because the citizens continue to feel the presence of the police state despite the declining number of assaults and violations. Today, there is no doubt that there is freedom in Tunisia, but the problem lies in whether it will be properly enjoyed. The country will undergo a period of democratic labor which, if it culminates with a healthy offspring, the revolution will have truly triumphed. The Constitutional Assembly elections will take place on July 24, with numerous parties running in these elections. But there is deliberate scaremongering against the Islamic Renaissance Party, following the return of its leader Rashid Ghannouchi from his exile. However, I find the fear from, or say scaremongering against, the Islamists to be exaggerated. The Tunisian Islamists were always moderate, and Tunisian women will not forfeit their gains. I also rule out the possibility that the Personal Status Code, which prohibits polygamy, will be amended. Following the elections for the Constitutional Assembly, the government is supposed to resign and the assembly is supposed to appoint a provisional president who would then oversee the drafting of a new constitution for the country in two to three years. I do not want to look beyond that into whether the new constitution will have the president be elected directly by the people, or whether he will be chosen by the members of parliament, and will suffice myself with the current developments. Democracy, with the absence of corruption and the establishment of the rule of law, means that the Tunisians will feel proud; however, its effects go beyond just that. It gives Tunisia the right to enter in partnership with the European Union, something that the Ben Ali regime could not achieve. Subsequently, European and other investors will be encouraged to enter the Tunisian market, so long as they will not be subjected to blackmail by the rulers, and will not have to pay bribes and commissions, or enter into undesired partnerships. This will no doubt enhance the country's income from tourism, which will attract Tunisian, Arab and foreign investors. I expect a bright future for Tunisia, following a transitional period which requires some patience and a lot of wisdom. [email protected]
