Security, not Politics, primary concern of the Tunisians

By Wafa Amr

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.

(http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/middle-east-north-africa/north-africa/tunisia/137-tunisia-violence-and-the-salafi-challenge.aspx)

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.