World Regional Geography: Tunisia

Arab Uprising
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Institution/ Affiliation
Introduction
In early December 2010, pro-democracy uprisings plunged Tunisia. By early January 2011, the anti-government protests, uprisings, and unrest quickly spread into Arabic-speaking states in North Africa and the Middle East including, Libya, Bahrain, Syria, Egypt, and Yemen. Triggered by the rampant corruption, aging dictatorships, cronyism, national appeal, social media, leaderless revolts, rising standards of living, bungled state response, and rallying call from the mosque saw the people to the streets in to fight for democracy and better standards of living (Shehata, 2014). Although many Arabs lost their lives and possession fighting for a better living and democracy, their quest has remained a mere dream with –nothing much to celebrate following the ninth anniversary of the Arab uprisings. In reality, there is little sign of political freedom as called for by the protestors.
Background
The first demonstrations in Tunisia was sparked by the self-immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi, a street vendor who set himself ablaze in front of a government building to demonstrate the irrational destruction of his vegetable stand by police due to lack of a business permit. Subsequently, a protest movement sprung, and with the help of social media, protests spread across the country. In response, the regime launched violence and financial and political incentives to counter the ever-growing street demonstrations (Puddington, 2012). Unluckily, the protests overwhelmed the nation’s security forces and forced president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to step down and leave the country early following year (Schwedler, 2013). After nine months, Tunisians participated in election to choose a council tasked in drafting a new constitution. Two months later, December 2011, a constitutionally selected prime minister and president assumed office.
In late January 2011, only days after the Tunisian president had freed the country, substantial unrest and protests broke out in Egypt. Like the Tunisian government, the administration tried to control the protests by offering concessions as well as the use of violence against the demonstrators. However, after days of firm protests and unrest between demonstrators and security forces in the capital Cairo and other regions, the armed forces declared that it would not use force against protestors but rather called the president Hosni Mubarak to step down (Schwedler, 2013).
Consequently, the president ceded power to the council of senior military officers on February 11 having served the country for almost thirty years. The new military administration enjoyed public support due to the essential role they played in the president Mubarak ouster. However, the confidence diminished when the military administration was reluctant to transfer power to the elected officials and rather hurled violence against the citizens and protestors (Niakooee, 2013). In late November 2011, parliamentary elections were conducted amidst the multiday violence and elected people assembly started their first session in January the following year.
Inspired by the successful demonstrations in Egypt and Tunisia, citizens in Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Bahrain started demon...