The Jasmine Revolution

A name promising both freedom of expression and democracy, Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution sought to fight the oppressive socioeconomic rule of then President Sine El Abedine Ben Ali. Though it is most likely much higher than reported, Tunisia has an unemployment rate of 14 percent and many college graduates are without work (Hanley). Resulting from this, some Tunisians resort to alternative ways to support themselves and their families. This was the case for Mohamed Bouazizi. Unable to find a job after graduating from university, he bought a cart to sell produce on the street despite not having the money to obtain a permit to do so. Within the first day police confiscated the cart and proceeded to beat him. On December 17, 2010, as a display of protest, Bouazizi stood in front of his local governor’s home, doused himself in gas, and lit himself on fire. This initial action, executed by one individual, set in motion what would become the Jasmine Revolution.

            As seen in numerous modern-era social movements, social media heavily contributed to the rising popularity of the movement. Following Bouazizi’s suicide, his mother protested at the same site, where she was filmed doing so. This was uploaded to Facebook and broadcasted on the news network Al Jazeera (El-Khawas). It was a matter of days before an eruption of street protests. By Christmas, thousands of unarmed citizens were protesting across the country (Hanley). President Ben Ali responded by threatening protestors. Law enforcement officials, as promised, met the protestors with “tear gas, live ammunition and clubs” (Hanley). From this the protests turned violent, with some attempting to burn police cars as well as buildings. The protests continued and eventually made their way into Tunisia’s capital, Tunis. Ben Ali again threatened protests, along with stating that the protests against the poor economy and lack of jobs would actually have a negative effect on the economy (El-Khawas). The government became a target; on January 2, 2011 multiple government websites were hacked. The next few days saw a strike among almost all of Tunisia’s lawyers. This strike was a general protest demanding an end to police brutality against protestors. Teachers also joined the lawyer’s strike. By January 7, bloggers, reporters, activists, and even singers were being arrested by local security forces for speaking out against the regime. The working-class in the capital of Tunis was next to participate in the movement, beginning on January 11. Their violent protests were met with both ammunition and tear gas, but police still “failed to disperse the crowd” (El-Khawas). Facebook and Twitter, among other social media outlets, were continuously used to share the brutal actions of the Tunisian government against their people as they protested.

            Seeing no other solution to the violence, President Ben Ali announced on January 13 that he would not be running for reelection in 2014. In the meantime, he promised expanded freedoms, reforms, and an investigation into “the killings of protestors” (El-Khawas). This attempt to quell protestors was unsuccessful, however. Demonstrations continued into the next day. Ben Ali was advised on January 14, 2011 to flee the country, after his imposed state of emergency proved to be no more effective than any of his other attempts at resolution. He ended up in Saudi Arabia after being denied refuge in both Malta and France (Hanley). Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannaouchi became interim president and began forming a new coalition government. With so many of Ben Ali gone, protests turned to celebration. Unemployment and oppression being the basis for the revolution, driving out the president seemed to be the solution. One person was able to start the Jasmine Revolution alone. Seemingly the spark for Middle Eastern protests in the years to come, a successful regime change resulting from protesting the governing rule showed many that this sort of change is possible. Then United States President Barak Obama acknowledged the “courage and dignity of the Tunisian people” (Hanley). Within four weeks, Tunisian citizens were able to overthrow the government that has been oppressing them for decades.