TUNIS-Three years after setting off
what became known as the Arab Spring, Tunisia has taken wide strides towards
democratization. Compared to the ongoing tension in Egypt, a bloody conflict in
Syria, chaos and violence in Libya, fighting in Yemen, and political challenges or simmering anger elsewhere in the Arab world, Tunisia is
celebrated as the Arab Spring’s success story.
The Tunisian people are
cautiously hopeful. They are in a “wait and see” mode. The passing of a new constitution
hailed by the world as the most moderate in the Arab world, has put Tunisia on
the right track. (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/eca21fa6-8734-11e3-ba87-00144feab7de.html#axzz2x8FX5y6x)
“The constitution is good,
but it has loopholes. Critical articles in the constitution are vague, and
could be interpreted in many ways. Let’s wait and see how it will be
implemented,” said 24-year-old bank employee Zina.
I spent some time in Tunisia
speaking to people from different wakes of life, the poor, the rich, young and
old. I was struck by the pessimism, by the feeling that the revolution has indeed
changed their lives, but not for the better. Everywhere I went, I heard people
reminiscing about the days under the ousted dictator Zein El Abidine Bin Ali.
But why? I asked in surprise. They told me that freedom has come with chaos and
shocking violence, a deteriorating economy, and a significant rise in poverty.
There were those who carried
similar frustrations, but who also were hopeful that with time, the new rulers would
save the country and contain the extremists.
“It will take time, but I’m
confident Tunisia will improve. I have no regrets. We are in a much better
situation than we have been under Bin Ali,” Sidi Wasseem told me.
Politics is not the primary
concern for Tunisians. Security and the economy have become the most pressing
issues for Tunisians who have enjoyed stability and peace for as long as they
can remember, and who thought after the revolution, their economic woes would disappear.
.
Police have manned
checkpoints in different parts of the capital Tunis, but they too complained of
low wages and the harshness of life. One policeman said he could barely make
ends meet, and was hoping to secure a loan from a bank to feed his big family.
“We knew Bin Ali and his
cronies were stealing the country, but we had a stable economy, we lived sort
of comfortably,” Najwa, a teacher and mother of three, said.
“We were better off under Bin
Ali,” she said. “I don’t know how to manage with my salary. Food prices have
risen significantly, rents too, everything is more expensive now,” she added.
The Tunisian economy was
stable under Ben Ali. Unemployment was high then, it is high now. There were
almost daily street protests demanding jobs or higher wages in different parts
of the country.
The government is struggling
to improve the economy and attract foreign investment following its success in
achieving political stability.
Tourism and foreign
investment have suffered since the revolution. The violence and uncertainty
have kept tourists and investors away. Hotels have minimum occupancy, I was
told.
People speak about the rising
crime and chaos in their country.
“Look at the women and men
begging on the streets. Now they are everywhere,” said Ameena, a university
graduate searching for a job.
