{{Short description|2010–2011 campaign of civil resistance}}
{{Redirect|December Revolution|the Russian uprising of 1825|Decembrist revolt|the 1828 coup in Argentina|Decembrist revolution (Argentina)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| name = Tunisian revolution
| subtitle = {{native name|ar|الثورة التونسية}}
| side3 =
| part_of = the [[Arab Spring]]
| image = {{Multiple image
| perrow = 2/3/2
| total_width = 310
| border=infobox
| background color = white
| image1=Zabadehors.JPG
| image2=Caravane_de_la_libération_4.jpg
| image3=Beschuss.jpg
| image4=Tunisian_Revolution_Protest.jpg
| footer=
}}
| caption =
| date = 17 December 2010 – 14 January 2011
({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=12|day1=17|year1=2010|month2=01|day2=14|year2=2011}})
| location = [[Tunisia]]
| coordinates =
| causes = * [[Corruption in Tunisia|Government corruption]]
* [[Social inequalities]]
* [[Unemployment]]
* [[Political repression]]
* Self-immolation of [[Mohamed Bouazizi]]
| methods = {{plainlist|
* [[Civil resistance]]
* [[Demonstration (people)|Demonstrations]]
* [[General strike]]s
* [[Self-immolation]]s
* [[Uprising|Spontaneous uprising]]s
}}
| result = * Overthrow of the [[History of modern Tunisia#Era of Ben Ali|Ben Ali government]]
* Resignation of Prime Minister [[Mohamed Ghannouchi|Ghannouchi]][{{cite news |author=Willsher, Kim |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/27/tunisian-prime-minister-ghannouchi-resigns |title=Tunisian prime minister Mohamed Ghannouchi resigns amid unrest |work=The Guardian |access-date=23 November 2012 |location=London |date=27 February 2011 |archive-date=26 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226020144/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/27/tunisian-prime-minister-ghannouchi-resigns |url-status=live }}]
*Dissolution of the political police[{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12209621 |title=Tunisia forms national unity government amid unrest |work=BBC News |date=17 January 2011 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=19 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119014933/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12209621 |url-status=live }}]
* Dissolution of the [[Constitutional Democratic Rally|ruling party]][{{cite news |title=Tunisia dissolves Ben Ali party |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/20113985941974579.html |date=9 March 2011 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=30 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930125313/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/20113985941974579.html |url-status=dead }}]
*Release of political prisoners[{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/19/tunisia-political-prisoners |title=Tunisia set to release political prisoners |work=The Guardian |date=19 January 2011 |location=London |first=Peter |last=Beaumont |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-date=13 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313071731/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/19/tunisia-political-prisoners |url-status=live }}]
* Elections of a [[2011 Tunisian Constituent Assembly election|Constituent Assembly]][{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-election-idUSTRE7571R020110608 |title=Tunisia election delayed until 23 October |work=Reuters |date=8 June 2011 |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-date=15 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815001508/https://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/08/us-tunisia-election-idUSTRE7571R020110608 |url-status=dead }}]
* Start of the [[Arab Spring]]
* [[2013 protests in Tunisia|Subsequent protests]] against the interim Islamist-led constituent assembly[{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-tunisia-crisis-idUKBRE99M0ML20131023|title=Thousands protest before Tunisia crisis talks|date=23 October 2013|work=Reuters|access-date=5 July 2021|archive-date=13 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813051750/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-tunisia-crisis-idUKBRE99M0ML20131023|url-status=dead}}]
| side1 =
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| injuries = 2,147[[https://www.foxnews.com/world/report-338-killed-during-tunisia-revolution/ Report: 338 killed during Tunisia revolution] . Associated Press via FoxNews. 5 May 2012.]
| arrests =
| casualties_label =
| notes =
}}
{{History of Tunisia}}
The '''Tunisian revolution''' ({{Langx|ar|الثورة التونسية}}), also called the '''Jasmine Revolution''' and '''Tunisian Revolution of Dignity''',[{{cite web |url=https://www.dukeupress.edu/tunisia-dossier |title=Tunisia Dossier: The Tunisian Revolution of Dignity |access-date=14 April 2023 |archive-date=14 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414024043/https://www.dukeupress.edu/tunisia-dossier |url-status=dead }}][{{cite journal |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21520844.2012.675545 |title=The Tunisian Revolution: The Revolution of Dignity |year=2012 |doi=10.1080/21520844.2012.675545 |last1=Aleya-Sghaier |first1=Amira |journal=The Journal of the Middle East and Africa |volume=3 |pages=18–45 |s2cid=144602886 |access-date=14 April 2023 |archive-date=14 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414012754/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21520844.2012.675545 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}][{{cite web |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/enough-jasmine-revolution-narrative-tunisians-demand-dignity |title=Enough with the 'Jasmine Revolution' narrative: Tunisians demand dignity |quote=Let's say no to "jasmine" and stick to the name that was enshrined in our new constitution - the Tunisian Revolution of Dignity -to remind ourselves where our common efforts must remain focused. |access-date=14 April 2023 |archive-date=14 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414012813/https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/enough-jasmine-revolution-narrative-tunisians-demand-dignity |url-status=live }}] was an intensive 28-day campaign of [[civil resistance]]. It included a series of street [[demonstration (protest)|demonstrations]] which took place in [[Tunisia]], and led to the ousting of longtime dictator [[Zine El Abidine Ben Ali]] in January 2011.[{{Cite book |last=Wolf |first=Anne |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lV6vEAAAQBAJ |title=Ben Ali's Tunisia: Power and Contention in an Authoritarian Regime |date=2023 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-286850-3 |language=en}}] It eventually led to a thorough [[democratization]] of the country and to free and democratic elections, which had led to it being described as the only successful movement in the [[Arab Spring]].[{{cite web |author=Ryan, Yasmine |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/01/2011126121815985483.html |title=How Tunisia's revolution began – Features |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=26 January 2011 |access-date=13 February 2011 |archive-date=3 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203050343/http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/01/2011126121815985483.html |url-status=dead }}]
The demonstrations were caused by high [[unemployment]], food [[inflation]], [[corruption]],[{{cite web|title=A Snapshot of Corruption in Tunisia|url=http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/middle-east-north-africa/tunisia/snapshot.aspx|publisher=Business Anti-Corruption Portal|access-date=7 February 2014|archive-date=7 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807082724/http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/middle-east-north-africa/tunisia/snapshot.aspx|url-status=dead}}][{{Cite news|last=Spencer |first=Richard |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/tunisia/8258077/Tunisia-riots-US-warns-Middle-East-to-reform-or-be-overthrown.html |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171010045358/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/tunisia/8258077/Tunisia-riots-Reform-or-be-overthrown-US-tells-Arab-states-amid-fresh-riots.html |url-status=live |archive-date=10 October 2017 |title=Tunisia riots: Reform or be overthrown, US tells Arab states amid fresh riots |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=13 January 2011|access-date=14 January 2011 |location=London}}] a lack of [[political freedom]]s (such as [[freedom of speech]]),[{{cite web |last=Ryan |first=Yasmine |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/01/20111614145839362.html |title=Tunisia's bitter cyberwar |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=31 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031214738/http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/01/20111614145839362.html |url-status=dead }}] and poor [[living conditions]]. The protests constituted the most dramatic wave of social and political unrest in Tunisia in three decades[{{cite web |url=http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/01/02/tunisia_s_protest_wave_where_it_comes_from_and_what_it_means_for_ben_ali |title=Tunisia's Protest Wave: Where It Comes From and What It Means for Ben Ali | The Middle East Channel |publisher=Mideast.foreignpolicy.com |date=3 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=15 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115211351/http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/01/02/tunisia_s_protest_wave_where_it_comes_from_and_what_it_means_for_ben_ali |url-status=dead }}][{{Cite news|author=Borger, Julian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/29/tunisian-president-vows-punish-rioters|title=Tunisian president vows to punish rioters after worst unrest in a decade|date=29 December 2010|work=The Guardian|location=UK|access-date=29 December 2010|archive-date=31 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231194744/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/29/tunisian-president-vows-punish-rioters|url-status=live}}] and resulted in scores of deaths and injuries, most of which were the result of action by police and security forces.
The protests were sparked by the [[self-immolation]] of [[Mohamed Bouazizi]] on 17 December 2010.[[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12120228 Tunisia suicide protester Mohammed Bouazizi dies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124022249/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12120228 |date=24 January 2011 }}, BBC, 5 January 2011.][{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/22/world/africa/22sidi.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&src=twrhp|author=Fahim, Kareem|title=Slap to a Man's Pride Set Off Tumult in Tunisia|work=The New York Times|date=21 January 2011|page=2|access-date=23 January 2011|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701112644/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/22/world/africa/22sidi.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&src=twrhp|url-status=live}}][{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/weekinreview/23worth.html?src=twrhp|title=How a Single Match Can Ignite a Revolution|author=Worth, Robert F.|work=The New York Times|date=21 January 2011|access-date=26 January 2011|archive-date=10 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110202456/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/weekinreview/23worth.html?src=twrhp|url-status=live}}] They led to the ousting of [[Zine El Abidine Ben Ali|Ben Ali]] on 14 January 2011, when he officially resigned after fleeing to [[Saudi Arabia]], ending his 23 years in power.[{{cite news |author=Davies, Wyre |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12195025 |title=Tunisia: President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali forced out |work=BBC News |date=15 December 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=15 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115053136/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12195025 |url-status=live }}][{{cite web |url=https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/01/16/18669320.php |title=Uprising in Tunisia: People Power topples Ben Ali regime |publisher=Indybay |date=16 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=26 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726181556/http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/01/16/18669320.php |url-status=live }}] [[Labor union]]s were an integral part of the protests.[{{cite web |url=http://www.defenddemocracy.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11792083&Itemid=347 |title=Trade unions: the revolutionary social network at play in Egypt and Tunisia |publisher=Defenddemocracy.org |access-date=11 February 2011 |archive-date=13 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213094954/http://www.defenddemocracy.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11792083&Itemid=347 |url-status=dead }}] The [[Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet]] was awarded the [[2015 Nobel Peace Prize]] for "its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia in the wake of the Tunisian Revolution of 2011".[{{cite web|title=The Nobel Peace Prize 2015 – Press Release|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2015/press.html|website=Nobelprize.org|publisher=Nobel Media AB 2014|access-date=9 October 2015|archive-date=9 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009130705/http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2015/press.html|url-status=live}}] The protests inspired similar actions throughout the Arab world, in a chain reaction which became known as the [[Arab Spring]] movement.
Clashes during the revolution resulted in 338 deaths and 2,174 injuries.[{{Cite web |title=Police tunisienne: les syndicats dénoncent la justice militaire |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/depeches/55561/politique/police-tunisienne-les-syndicats-denoncent-la-justice-militaire/ |website=jeune afrique}}]
==Naming==
In Tunisia, and the wider Arab world, the protests and change in government are called '''the revolution''' or sometimes called the '''Sidi Bouzid revolt''', the name being derived from [[Sidi Bouzid]], the city where the initial protests began.[{{cite web |url=https://libcom.org/article/sidi-bouzid-revolution-ben-ali-flees-protests-spread-tunisia |title=The Sidi Bouzid Revolution: Ben Ali flees as protests spread in Tunisia |publisher=libcom.org |access-date=8 February 2011 |archive-date=23 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123041523/http://libcom.org/forums/news/protests-spread-tunisia-29122010 |url-status=live }}] In the Western media, these events have been dubbed the '''Jasmine Revolution''' or '''Jasmine Spring''',[{{cite web|last=Carvin|first=Andy|title=Sidi Bou Zid: A Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia|url=http://storify.com/acarvin/sidi-bou-zid-a-jasmine-revolution-in-tunisia|publisher=Storify|access-date=7 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211214152/http://storify.com/acarvin/sidi-bou-zid-a-jasmine-revolution-in-tunisia|archive-date=11 December 2013|url-status=dead}}] after Tunisia's national flower and in keeping with the geopolitical nomenclature of "[[color revolutions]]". The name "Jasmine Revolution" originated from American journalist [[Andy Carvin]], but it was not widely adopted in Tunisia itself.[{{cite news|last=Carvin|first=Andy|title=Online Reports Detail Chaos, Deaths in Tunisia|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/01/13/132888992/tunisia-protests-social-media|access-date=7 December 2013|publisher=NPR|date=13 January 2011|location=Washington DC|archive-date=13 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213061145/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/01/13/132888992/tunisia-protests-social-media|url-status=live}}]
The protests and resultant political crises have generally been called the Jasmine revolution only in the foreign media.[{{Cite news |first=Mona |last=Eltahawy |title=Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/14/AR2011011405084.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=15 January 2011 |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-date=22 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222062734/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/14/AR2011011405084.html |url-status=live}}[[Mona Eltahawy]]][{{Cite news|title=Tunisia's 'Jasmine Revolution' jolts Arab world|url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/~/NewsContent/2/8/3955/World/Region/Tunisias-Jasmine-Revolution-jolts-Arab-world.aspx|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|publisher=Ahram Online|date=15 January 2011|access-date=15 January 2011|archive-date=20 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220024554/http://english.ahram.org.eg/~/NewsContent/2/8/3955/World/Region/Tunisias-Jasmine-Revolution-jolts-Arab-world.aspx|url-status=live}}] Tunisian philosopher [[Youssef Seddik (philosopher)|Youssef Seddik]] deemed the term inappropriate because the violence that accompanied the event was "perhaps as deep as [[Bastille Day]]",[{{cite news |url=https://www.sudouest.fr/international/afrique/tunisie/tunisie-une-prise-de-la-bastille-9465572.php |title=Tunisie : " Une prise de la Bastille " |author=Béziat, Bruno |date=16 January 2011 |work=Sud Ouest |access-date=17 January 2011 |archive-date=23 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723153702/http://www.sudouest.fr/2011/01/16/une-prise-de-la-bastille-291463-652.php |url-status=live }}] and although the term was coined by the Tunisian journalist Zied El Hani, who first used it on his blog on 13 January and initially spread via social media,[{{cite news |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/01/17/revolution-du-jasmin-une-expression-qui-ne-fait-pas-l-unanimite_1466871_3212.html |title="Révolution du jasmin" : une expression qui ne fait pas l'unanimité |work=Le Monde |date=17 January 2011 |access-date=30 March 2011 |archive-date=20 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120111647/http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/01/17/revolution-du-jasmin-une-expression-qui-ne-fait-pas-l-unanimite_1466871_3212.html |url-status=live }}] it is not in widespread use in Tunisia itself.[{{cite web |author=Frangeul, Frédéric |url=https://www.europe1.fr/international/D-ou-vient-la-revolution-du-jasmin-301066 |title=D'où vient la "révolution du jasmin" ? |publisher=Europe 1 |date=17 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |language=fr |trans-title=From where does the "Jasmin Revolution" come from? |archive-date=19 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119034358/http://www.europe1.fr/International/D-ou-vient-la-revolution-du-jasmin-375743/ |url-status=live }} ([https://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.europe1.fr%2FInternational%2FD-ou-vient-la-revolution-du-jasmin-375743%2F Google Translate version] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305120500/http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.europe1.fr%2FInternational%2FD-ou-vient-la-revolution-du-jasmin-375743%2F |date=5 March 2017 }})]
The debate surrounding the name and the poetic influences behind the Tunisian revolution was a popular question among Tunisian intellectuals.[{{Cite journal |url=https://www.academia.edu/9808087 |title=Tunisia's revolution of dignity and freedom cannot be colour-coded |first=Mohamed-Salah |last=Omri |via=Academia.edu |year=2012 |volume=39 |number=1 |pages=137–165 |periodical=[[Boundary 2]] |publisher=Duke University Press |doi=10.1215/01903659-1506283 |access-date=22 March 2016 |archive-date=14 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414205317/https://www.academia.edu/9808087 |url-status=live }}] The name adopted in Tunisia was the '''Dignity Revolution''', which is a translation of the [[Tunisian Arabic]] name for the revolution, {{lang|ar|ثورة الكرامة}} (''{{Transliteration|ar|Thawrat al-Karāmah}}'').[Amira Aleya-Sghaier, The Tunisian Revolution: The Revolution of Dignity,
The Journal of the Middle East and Africa Vol. 3, Iss. 1,2012] Within Tunisia, [[Coup d'État of 7 November 1987 (Tunisia)|Ben Ali's rise to power in 1987]] was also known as the Jasmine Revolution.[{{cite web |author=Malaponti, Olivier |url=https://blogs.mediapart.fr/olivier-malaponti/blog/150111/revolution-de-jasmin-0 |title=Révolution de jasmin ? |work=Mediapart |date=15 January 2011 |access-date=28 January 2011 |language=fr |trans-title=Jasmine Revolution? |archive-date=31 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131211858/http://www.mediapart.fr/club/blog/olivier-malaponti/150111/revolution-de-jasmin-0 |url-status=live }} ([https://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediapart.fr%2Fclub%2Fblog%2Folivier-malaponti%2F150111%2Frevolution-de-jasmin-0 english translation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101074602/https://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediapart.fr%2Fclub%2Fblog%2Folivier-malaponti%2F150111%2Frevolution-de-jasmin-0 |date=1 November 2020 }})][{{Cite news|url=https://arabist.net/blog/2011/1/17/why-you-shouldnt-call-it-the-jasmine-revolution.html|title=Why you shouldn't call it the "Jasmine Revolution"|work=The Arabist|access-date=8 September 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908201240/https://arabist.net/blog/2011/1/17/why-you-shouldnt-call-it-the-jasmine-revolution.html|url-status=live}}]
Because Tunisia's anti-government protests were in part fueled by [[WikiLeaks]] revelations, the uprising has been called the first '''WikiLeaks revolution'''.[{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/feb/02/wikileaks-exclusive-book-extract#:~:text=Within%20a%20month%20of%20the,fire%20to%20himself%20in%20desperation |last1=Leigh |first1=David |last2=Harding |first2=Luke |title=WikiLeaks: Tunisia knew its rulers were debauched. But leaks still had impact |date=February 2, 2011 |newspaper=The Guardian}}] The increased reliance on social media as an organizing tool also introduced the label, the '''Facebook revolution'''. ''[[Le Monde]]'' reported how it was common for Tunisian youth to use that term.[{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224823171 |title=The Contribution of Facebook to the 2011 Tunisian Revolution: A Cyberpsychological Insight |journal=Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking |volume=15 |issue=5 |date=2012 |last1=Marzouki |first1=Yousri |last2=Skandrani-Marzouki |first2=Inès |last3=Bejaoui |first3=Moez |last4=Hammoudi |first4=Haythem |last5=Bellaj |first5=Tarek |pages=237–244 |doi=10.1089/cyber.2011.0177 |pmid=22524479 |via=ResearchGate}}]
==Background==
President [[Zine El Abidine Ben Ali]] had ruled Tunisia since 1987, mostly as a one-party state with the [[Democratic Constitutional Rally]] (RCD), following the [[1987 Tunisian coup d'état|overthrowing]] of his predecessor [[Habib Bourguiba]]. His government was characterised by the development of Tunisia's private sector in favor of foreign investment, and the repression of political opposition. Foreign media and {{abbr|NGOs|non-government organisations}} criticised his government, which was supported by the United States and France. As a result, the initial reactions to Ben Ali's abuses by the U.S. and France were muted, and most instances of socio-political protest in the country, when they occurred at all, rarely made major news headlines.[{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/deadly-riots-in-tunisia-shut-down-schools/ |title=Deadly Riots in Tunisia Shut Down Schools |publisher=CBS News |date=10 January 2011 |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-date=4 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104062313/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/01/10/world/main7233191.shtml |url-status=live }}] and noteworthy, especially since the country is generally considered to be wealthy and stable as compared to other countries in the region.[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/2011191414183128.html |title=Protesters killed in Tunisia riots |publisher=English.aljazeera.net |date=9 January 2011 |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-date=6 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106071022/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/2011191414183128.html |url-status=dead }}] Protests had been repressed and kept silent by the regime, and protesters would be jailed for such actions, as with hundreds of unemployed demonstrators who [[2008 Tunisian protests|protested in Gafsa]] in 2008.[{{cite web|first1=Jean-Marie|last1=Lemaire|first2=Rim|last2=Mathlouti|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20110215-reporters-tunisia-redeyef-gafsa-mining-phosphate-accusations-competition-rigged-ben-ali-supporters-protests-journalists|title=Redeyef, the precursor of the Tunisian revolution|publisher=France 24|date=15 February 2011|access-date=15 February 2011|archive-date=3 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103122321/http://www.france24.com/en/20110215-reporters-tunisia-redeyef-gafsa-mining-phosphate-accusations-competition-rigged-ben-ali-supporters-protests-journalists|url-status=live}}] As noted by Mohamed Bacha in his book, ''The Revolutionary Chants of Club Africain Ultras'',[{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Mohamed-Bacha/e/B00GOLSGM8|title=Mohamed Bacha|website=www.amazon.com|access-date=20 December 2018|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001135458/https://www.amazon.com/Mohamed-Bacha/e/B00GOLSGM8|url-status=live}}][{{Cite book |title=The Revolutionary Chants of Club Africain Ultras |isbn=978-1986227971 |last1=Bacha |first1=Mohamed |date=6 March 2018 |publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform }}] Tunisian youth had found an outlet to express their anger and dissatisfaction, through the fan chants of sports association Club Africain Ultras, such as: ''The capital is very angry'', ''We are solidary when we make war to the sons of — Who oppress us'', and ''Hey Regime, The Revolution is Imminent''.
At the time of the revolution, [[Al Jazeera English]] reported that Tunisian activists are among the most outspoken in its part of the world, with various messages of support being posted on Twitter and Facebook for Bouazizi.[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/2010122063745828931.html |title=Riots reported in Tunisian city – Africa – Al Jazeera English |publisher=English.aljazeera.net |date=20 December 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=8 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408171358/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/2010122063745828931.html |url-status=dead }}] An [[op-ed]] article in the same network said of the action that it was "suicidal protests of despair by Tunisia's youth." It pointed out that the state-controlled National Solidarity Fund and the National Employment Fund had traditionally subsidized many goods and services in the country but had started to shift the "burden of providence from state to society" to be funded by the ''[[bidonville]]s'', or [[shanty towns]], around the richer towns and suburbs.{{clarify|date=January 2011}} It also cited the "marginalisation of the agrarian and arid central, northern west and southern areas [that] continue[s] unabated."[{{cite web |author=Sadiki, Larbi |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2010/12/20101227142811755739.html |title=Tunisia: The battle of Sidi Bouzid – Opinion – Al Jazeera English |publisher=English.aljazeera.net |date=27 December 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=27 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027004710/http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2010/12/20101227142811755739.html |url-status=dead }}] The protests were also called an "uprising" because of "a lethal combination of poverty, unemployment, and political repression: three characteristics of most Arab societies."[{{cite web |author=Andoni, Lamis |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2010/12/20101231161958792947.html |title=The rebirth of Arab activism – Opinion |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=31 December 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=5 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005072320/http://english.aljazeera.net//indepth/opinion/2010/12/20101231161958792947.html |url-status=dead }}] It was a revolution, notes a Tunisian geographer, "started not by the middle class or the northern urban centers, but by marginalised social groups."[{{cite journal|last=Ayeb|first=Habib|url=https://habibayeb.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/the-alfa-grass-revolution-in-tunisia-roape.pdf|title=Social and Political Geography of the Tunisian Revolution|year=2011|journal=Review of African Political Economy|language=en|volume=38|issue=129|pages=467–479|doi=10.1080/03056244.2011.604250|s2cid=153781799|access-date=3 April 2019|archive-date=3 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403183716/https://habibayeb.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/the-alfa-grass-revolution-in-tunisia-roape.pdf|url-status=live}}]
==Mohamed Bouazizi and Sidi Bouzid==
Twenty-six-year-old [[Mohamed Bouazizi]] had been the sole income earner in his extended family of eight. He operated a vegetable or apple cart (the contents of the cart are disputed) for seven years in [[Sidi Bouzid]], 300 kilometres (190 miles) south of Tunis. On 17 December 2010, a female officer confiscated his cart and produce. Bouazizi, who had such an event happen to him before, tried to pay the 10-dinars fine (a day's wages, equivalent to US$3). It was initially reported that in response, the policewoman insulted his deceased father and slapped him. Although many of the details were incorrect, the story was "disseminated and used to mobilize as much as possible against the Ben Ali regime," according to sociologist Habib Ayeb.[{{cite web|url=http://roape.net/2018/04/12/food-sovereignty-and-the-environment-an-interview-with-habib-ayeb|title=Food Sovereignty and the Environment: an interview with Habib Ayeb|year=2018|publisher=Review of African Political Economy|access-date=1 April 2019|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401175152/http://roape.net/2018/04/12/food-sovereignty-and-the-environment-an-interview-with-habib-ayeb/|url-status=dead}}] The officer, Fedia Hamdi, stated that she was not even a policewoman, but a city employee who had been tasked that morning with confiscating produce from vendors without licenses. When she tried to do so with Bouazizi, a scuffle ensued. She said in a subsequent interview that she never slapped him.[{{cite news |title=Fedia Hamdi's slap which sparked a revolution 'didn't happen' |newspaper=The Guardian |date=23 April 2011 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/23/fedia-hamdi-slap-revolution-tunisia |author=Day, Elizabeth"}}]
A humiliated Bouazizi then went to the provincial headquarters in an attempt to complain to local municipality officials and to have his produce returned. He was refused an audience. Without alerting his family, at 11:30 am and within an hour of the initial confrontation, Bouazizi returned to the headquarters, doused himself with a flammable liquid and set himself on fire. Public outrage quickly grew over the incident, leading to protests.[{{Cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2043557,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121022235/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2043557,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 January 2011 | title=Bouazizi: The Man Who Set Himself and Tunisia on Fire | author=Abouzeid, Rania | date=21 January 2011|magazine=Time}}][{{Cite news | url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/922279--suicide-protest-helped-topple-tunisian-regime | title=Suicide protest helped topple Tunisian regime | location=Toronto | work=The Star | date=14 January 2011 | access-date=17 September 2017 | archive-date=20 November 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120113729/http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/922279--suicide-protest-helped-topple-tunisian-regime | url-status=live }}] This immolation, and the heavy-handed response by the police to peaceful marchers, provoked riots the next day in [[Sidi Bouzid]]. The riots went largely unnoticed, though [[social media]] sites disseminated images of police dispersing youths who attacked shop windows and damaged cars. Bouazizi was subsequently transferred to a hospital near Tunis. In an attempt to quell the unrest, President Ben Ali visited Bouazizi in the hospital on 28 December. Bouazizi died on 4 January 2011.[{{Cite news | url=https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE70408420110105 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108071835/http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE70408420110105 | url-status=live | archive-date=8 January 2011 | title=Tunisian who sparked rare protests dies: relatives -Reuters | work=Reuters | date=5 January 2011 | access-date=14 January 2011}}]
Sociologist [[Asef Bayat]], who visited Tunisia after the uprising and carried out field research, wrote about the mechanisation of large-scale capitalist farms in towns like Sidi Bouzid that have come "at the cost of smallholders' debt, dispossession, and proletarianization."[{{Cite book|title=Revolution without Revolutionaries: Making Sense of the Arab Spring|last=Bayat|first=Asef|date=2017|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=9781503602588|language=en-US|pages=125}}] Tunisian geographer-cinematographer Habib Ayeb, founder of the Tunisian Observatory for Food Sovereignty and the Environment (OSAE), has questioned the model of development that was introduced in Sidi Bouzid:
{{Blockquote|[The region] received the most investment between 1990 and 2011. The leading region. It is a region that had an extensive semi-pastoral farming system, and it became in less than 30 years the premier agricultural region of the country. At the same time Sidi Bouzid had been a "moderately poor" region, in a sense, and I put that in quotation marks, and it is now the fourth-poorest region in the country. This is the development which people desire... The problem is that the local population does not benefit. These are people from Sfax and the Sahel who get rich in Sidi Bouzid, not the people of Sidi Bouzid. Hence the link with the story of Mohamed Bouazizi.[{{cite web|last1=Black|first1=Ian|date=7 December 2010|title=WikiLeaks cables: Tunisia blocks site reporting 'hatred' of first lady|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/07/wikileaks-tunisia-first-lady|work=The Guardian|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=16 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416170353/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/07/wikileaks-tunisia-first-lady|url-status=live}}] These included descriptions of corruption and repression by the Tunisian regime. It is widely believed that the information in the WikiLeaks documents contributed to the protests, which began a few weeks later.[{{Cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/2010122063745828931.html|title=Images posted on social-network sites show police intervening to halt disturbances ignored by national media|date=20 December 2010|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=20 December 2010|archive-date=8 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408171358/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/2010122063745828931.html|url-status=dead}}]
On 22 December, protester Lahseen Naji, responding to "hunger and joblessness", electrocuted himself after climbing an [[electricity pylon]].[{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/201012317536678834.html|title=A protester dies after being shot by police, as activists criticise government repression of protests|date=31 December 2010|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=31 December 2010|archive-date=7 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207082934/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/201012317536678834.html|url-status=dead}}] Police claimed they shot the demonstrators in "self-defence". A "quasi-curfew" was then imposed on the city by police.[{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/20101224235824708885.html|title=Protester dies in Tunisia clash: Several wounded in Sidi Bouzid as demonstrations against unemployment turn violent|date=25 December 2010|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=25 December 2010|archive-date=8 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208090825/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/20101224235824708885.html|url-status=dead}}] Rapper [[El Général]], whose songs had been adopted by protesters, was arrested on 24 December but released several days later after "an enormous public reaction".[{{cite news|last=Walt |first=Vivienne |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2049456,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219131332/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2049456,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 February 2011 |title=El Général and the Rap Anthem of the Mideast Revolution |magazine=Time |date=15 February 2011 |access-date=1 March 2011}}]
Violence increased, and protests reached the capital, [[Tunis]],[{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/2010122682433751904.html|title=Protests continue in Tunisia|date=26 December 2010|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=26 December 2010|archive-date=7 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207082919/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/2010122682433751904.html|url-status=dead}}] on {{Nowrap|27 December}} where a thousand citizens expressed solidarity[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2010/12/20101228182021539319.html |title=Tunisia jobless protests rage |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=28 December 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=22 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322145735/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2010/12/20101228182021539319.html |url-status=dead }}] with residents of Sidi Bouzid and called for jobs. The rally, organised by independent trade union activists, was stopped by security forces. Protests also spread to [[Sousse]], [[Sfax]] and [[Meknassy]].[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/20101227204853391930.html |title=Job protests escalate in Tunisia |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=28 December 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=8 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308200956/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/20101227204853391930.html |url-status=dead }}] The following day, the Tunisian Federation of Labour Unions held another rally in [[Gafsa]] which was also blocked by security forces. About 300 lawyers held a rally near the government's palace in Tunis.[{{cite web |author=Randeree, Bilal |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/2010122819724363553.html |title=Tensions flare across Tunisia |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=28 December 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=8 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308201002/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/2010122819724363553.html |url-status=dead }}] Protests continued again on {{Nowrap|29 December}}.[{{cite news|url=http://24sur24.posterous.com/video-today-a-young-unemployed-man-trying-to|title=video: today a young unemployed man trying to commit a suicide in El Hamma #sidibouzid|date=31 December 2010|work=Nawaat|access-date=31 December 2010|archive-date=8 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208205705/http://24sur24.posterous.com/video-today-a-young-unemployed-man-trying-to|url-status=dead}}]
On 3 January 2011, protests in [[Thala, Tunisia|Thala]] over unemployment and a high [[cost of living]] turned violent. At a demonstration of 250 people, mostly students, police fired tear gas; one canister landed in a local mosque. In response, the protesters were reported to have set fire to tires and attacked the RCD offices.[{{cite web |author=Randeree, Bilal |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/201114101752467578.html |title=Violent clashes continue in Tunisia – Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=4 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=13 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513123755/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/201114101752467578.html |url-status=dead }}] Some of the more general protests sought changes in the government's online censorship; Tunisian authorities allegedly carried out [[phishing]] operations to take control of user passwords and check online criticism. Both state and non-state websites had been hacked.[{{cite web |author=Ryan, Yasmine |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/01/20111614145839362.html |title=Tunisia's bitter cyberwar |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=6 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=31 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031214738/http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/01/20111614145839362.html |url-status=dead }}]
On 6 January, 95% of Tunisia's 8,000 lawyers went on strike, according to the chairman of the national [[bar association]]. He said, "The strike carries a clear message that we do not accept unjustified attacks on lawyers. We want to strongly protest against the beating of lawyers in the past few days."[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/201116193136690227.html |title=Thousands of Tunisia lawyers strike |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=6 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629084550/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/201116193136690227.html |url-status=dead }}] It was reported on the following day that teachers had also joined the strike.[{{Cite news |last=Sandels |first=Alexandra |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-tunisia-riots-20110108,0,1279820.story |title=Rioting spreads across Tunisia; unrest also reported in Algeria |work=Los Angeles Times |date=8 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=19 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119143618/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-tunisia-riots-20110108,0,1279820.story |url-status=live }}]
In response to 11 January protests, police used riot gear to disperse protesters ransacking buildings, burning tyres, setting fire to a bus and burning two cars in the Tunis working-class suburb of [[Ettadhamen-Mnihla]]. The protesters were said to have chanted "We are not afraid, we are not afraid, we are afraid only of God". Military personnel were also deployed in many cities around the country.[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/01/2011111214716877786.html |title=Tunisia unrest spreads to capital – Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629084615/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/01/2011111214716877786.html |url-status=dead }}]
On 12 January, a reporter from Italian broadcaster [[RAI]] stated that he and his cameraman were beaten with batons by police during a riot in Tunis's central district and that the officers then confiscated their camera.[{{Cite news|url=https://www.rai.it/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-0ec2c1f9-c6f3-48cd-8166-bc1eca6d13a9-tg3.html|title=Tunisi. Aggredita la troupe del Tg3|date=12 January 2011|publisher=[[TG3]]|language=it|access-date=12 January 2011|archive-date=16 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116023943/http://www.rai.tv/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-0ec2c1f9-c6f3-48cd-8166-bc1eca6d13a9-tg3.html|url-status=live}}] A curfew was ordered in Tunis after protests and clashes with police.[{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12175959 |title=Tunisia imposes curfew in Tunis to quell protests |work=BBC News |date=13 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=13 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113154044/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12175959 |url-status=live }}]
[[Hizb ut-Tahrir]] organised protests after [[Friday prayer]] on 14 January to call for re-establishing the Islamic [[caliphate]].[{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNRhq4fFAto&feature=player_embedded |title=Protests organized by Hizb ut-Tahrir calling for the re-establishment of the Islamic caliphate |publisher=YouTube |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-date=21 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421061333/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNRhq4fFAto&feature=player_embedded |url-status=dead }}] A day later, it also organised other protests that marched to the 9 April Prison to free political prisoners.[{{cite web |url=http://www.alokab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=56256 |title=Call for re-establishing Caliphate in streets of Tunisia and freeing political prisoners |publisher=Alokab.com |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707115506/http://www.alokab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=56256 |archive-date=7 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}]
Also on 14 January, [[Lucas Dolega]], a photojournalist for the [[European Pressphoto Agency]], was hit in the forehead by a [[tear gas]] canister fired by the police at short range; he died two days later.[Laurent, Olivier (16 January 2011) "[http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/1937417/french-photographer-dies-tunisia UNESCO, French government call for investigation of Lucas Dolega's death [update 7]]", ''British Journal of Photography'' {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119010423/http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/1937417/french-photographer-dies-tunisia |date=19 January 2011 }}][Walker, David (18 January 2011) "[http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/news/Photographer-Dies-of-1505.shtml Photographer dies of injuries in Tunis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121034341/http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/news/Photographer-Dies-of-1505.shtml |date=21 January 2011 }}", ''Photo District News''][Bruggmann, Matthias et al. (18 January 2011) "[http://www.visapourlimage.com/news/4967.do Lucas Mebrouk Dolega] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717214041/http://www.visapourlimage.com/news/4967.do |date=17 July 2011 }}", Visa pour l'image.][Puech, Michel (22 January 2011) "{{Deprecated archive|url=https://archive.today/20110121210150/http://www.lalettredelaphotographie.com/entries/lucas-dolega-succumbs-to-a-hand-grenade|title=Lucas Dolega succumbs to a hand grenade}}", ''La Lettre de la photographie''.]
==End of Ben Ali's rule==
During a national television broadcast on {{Nowrap|28 December}}, President Ben Ali criticised protesters as "extremist mercenaries" and warned of "firm" punishment. He also accused "certain foreign television channels" of spreading falsehoods and deforming the truth, and called them "hostile to Tunisia".[{{Cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/2010122823238574209.html|title=Tunisia president warns protesters|date=28 December 2010|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=28 December 2010|archive-date=29 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229081322/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/2010122823238574209.html|url-status=dead}}] His remarks were ignored and the protests continued.[{{Cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/20101229122733122341.html|title=Tunisia struggles to end protests|date=29 December 2010|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=29 December 2010|archive-date=9 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209101447/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/20101229122733122341.html|url-status=dead}}]
On 29 December, Ben Ali shuffled his cabinet to remove communications minister [[Oussama Romdhani]], while also announcing changes to the trade and handicrafts, religious affairs, communication and youth portfolios.[{{Cite news|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/12/29/131431|title=Tunisian president removes ministers after protests|date=29 December 2010|publisher=[[Al Arabiya]]|access-date=29 December 2010|archive-date=1 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101151219/http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2010/12/29/131431.html|url-status=live}}] The next day he also announced the dismissal of the governors of Sidi Bouzid, [[Jendouba Governorate|Jendouba]] and [[Zaghouan Governorate|Zaghouan]].[{{Cite news|url=http://www.rnw.nl/africa/bulletin/more-heads-roll-tunisian-social-crisis|title=More heads roll in Tunisian social crisis|date=30 December 2010|work=[[Radio Netherlands Worldwide]]|access-date=30 December 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310064305/http://www.rnw.nl/africa/bulletin/more-heads-roll-tunisian-social-crisis|archive-date=10 March 2012}}]
In January 2011, Ben Ali said 300,000 new jobs would be created, though he did not clarify what that meant. He described the protests as "the work of masked gangs" attacking public property and citizens in their homes, and "a terrorist act that cannot be overlooked". [[Ahmed Najib Chebbi]], the leader of the [[Progressive Democratic Party (Tunisia)|Progressive Democratic Party]] (PDP), responded that despite official claims of police firing in self-defense "the demonstrations were non-violent and the youths were claiming their rights to jobs" and that "the funeral processions [for those killed on 9 January] turned into demonstrations, and the police fired [at] the youths who were at these [...] processions." He then criticised Ben Ali's comments as the protesters were "claiming their civil rights, and there is no terrorist act...no religious slogans". He further accused Ben Ali of "looking for scapegoats" and dismissed the creation of jobs as empty promises.[{{cite web |author=Randeree, Bilal |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/201111016239214548.html |title=Tunisian leader promises new jobs – Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=10 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=8 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308201116/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/201111016239214548.html |url-status=dead }}]
Several [[weblog]]gers and rapper El Général[Ryan, Yasmine (7 January 2011) [http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/01/20111718360234492.html Tunisia arrests bloggers and rapper – Africa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301171937/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/01/20111718360234492.html |date=1 March 2013 }}. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 September 2013.][{{cite web |url=https://www.myvidster.com/video/908155/el_gnral_the_voice_of_Tunisia_english_subtitles |title=el général, the voice of Tunisia, english subtitles |publisher=Myvidster.com |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=24 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724031034/http://www.myvidster.com/video/908155/el_gnral_the_voice_of_Tunisia_english_subtitles |url-status=live }}] were arrested, but the rapper and some of the bloggers were later released.[{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Aidan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12180954 |title=Tunisia protests: Cyber war mirrors unrest on streets |work=BBC News |date=14 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=26 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126022431/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12180954 |url-status=live }}] [[Reporters Without Borders]] said the arrest of at least six bloggers and activists, who had either been arrested or had disappeared across Tunisia, was brought to their attention and that there were "probably" others.[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/20111718360234492.html |title=Tunisia arrests bloggers and rapper |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=7 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=23 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923031850/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/20111718360234492.html |url-status=dead }}] [[Tunisian Pirate Party]] activists Slah Eddine Kchouk, [[Slim Amamou]][{{Cite web|url=https://jilliancyork.com/2011/01/06/tunisian-blogger-slim-amamou-arrested/|title=Tunisian Blogger Slim Amamou Arrested – Jillian C. York|date=6 January 2011|access-date=3 January 2022|archive-date=3 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103165957/https://jilliancyork.com/2011/01/06/tunisian-blogger-slim-amamou-arrested/|url-status=live}}][{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/18/tunisia-dissident-blogger-minister|title=Tunisian dissident blogger takes job as minister|author=Angelique Christafis |date=18 January 2011|website=the Guardian|access-date=3 January 2022|archive-date=3 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103165957/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/18/tunisia-dissident-blogger-minister|url-status=live}}] (later appointed Secretary of State for Sport and Youth by the incoming government)[{{cite web |url=https://x.com/slim404 |title=Slim Amamou (slim404) on Twitter |publisher=Twitter |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=26 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126194955/http://twitter.com/slim404/ |url-status=live }}][{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/9363808.stm |title=Turmoil in Tunisia: As it happened on Monday |work=BBC News |date=17 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=26 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126042653/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/9363808.stm |url-status=live }}] and Azyz Amamy were arrested but later released.[{{cite web |url=https://christianengstrom.wordpress.com/2011/01/09/tunisia-arrests-pirate-party-bloggers/ |title=Tunisia arrests Pirate Party bloggers |publisher=Christianengstrom.wordpress.com |date=23 December 2010 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201090643/https://christianengstrom.wordpress.com/2011/01/09/tunisia-arrests-pirate-party-bloggers/ |url-status=live }}][{{cite web |url=https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-party-members-arrested-in-tunisian-censorship-revolt-110108/ |title=Pirate Party Members arrested |publisher=Torrentfreak.com |date=8 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=28 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128100222/http://torrentfreak.com/pirate-party-members-arrested-in-tunisian-censorship-revolt-110108/ |url-status=live }}][{{Cite web|url=https://rsf.org/en/news/tunis-based-netizens-slim-amamou-and-azyz-amamy-arrested|title=Tunis-based netizens Slim Amamou and Azyz Amamy arrested | Reporters without borders|date=6 January 2011|website=res.org|access-date=26 December 2016|archive-date=26 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226150301/https://rsf.org/en/news/tunis-based-netizens-slim-amamou-and-azyz-amamy-arrested|url-status=dead}}] [[Hamma Hammami]], the leader of the banned [[Tunisian Workers' Communist Party]] and a prominent critic of Ben Ali, was arrested on 12 January,[[http://www.expatica.com/fr/news/french-news/tunisia-releases-opposition-communist-leader-party_123299.html Tunisia releases opposition Communist leader: party] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702091335/http://www.expatica.com/fr/news/french-news/tunisia-releases-opposition-communist-leader-party_123299.html |date=2 July 2011 }} Expatica, 14 January 2011]
On 10 January, the government announced the indefinite closure of all schools and universities in order to quell the unrest.[{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12155670 |title=Tunisia closes schools and universities following riots |work=BBC News |date=10 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=14 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114065705/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12155670 |url-status=live }}] Days before departing office, Ben Ali announced that he would not change the [[Constitution of Tunisia|present constitution]], which would require him to step down in 2014 due to his age.[{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20110113-tunisia-protests-ben-ali-speech-will-not-seek-reelection |title=Ben Ali rules out 'presidency for life' as chaos spreads |publisher=France 24 |date=13 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=16 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116003642/http://www.france24.com/en/20110113-tunisia-protests-ben-ali-speech-will-not-seek-reelection |url-status=live}}]
On 14 January, [[Zine El Abidine Ben Ali|Ben Ali]] dissolved his government and declared a [[state of emergency]]. The official reason given was to protect Tunisians and their property. People were barred from gathering in groups of more than three, and could be arrested or shot if they tried to run away.[{{Cite news|author=Maktabi, Rima|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/14/tunisia.protests/|title=Tunisian PM takes over as interim president as Ben Ali flees|publisher=CNN|date=15 January 2011|access-date=14 January 2011|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304235817/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/14/tunisia.protests/|url-status=dead}}][{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-14/tunisia-in-state-of-emergency-president-to-dissolve-parliament.html |title=Tunisia President Hands Power to Prime Minister |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |date=8 December 2009 |access-date=14 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110327140316/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-14/tunisia-in-state-of-emergency-president-to-dissolve-parliament.html |archive-date=27 March 2011 }}] Ben Ali called for an election within six months to defuse demonstrations aimed at forcing him out.[{{cite news |author=Walker, Peter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/14/tunisian-president-dismisses-government-violence |title=Tunisian president declares state of emergency and sacks government |work=The Guardian |date=14 January 2011 |access-date=28 October 2011 |location=London |archive-date=21 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921012222/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/14/tunisian-president-dismisses-government-violence |url-status=live }}] [[France24]] reported that the military took control of the airport and closed the country's [[airspace]].[{{cite web |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20110114-tunisia-prime-minister-assumes-power-amid-reports-president-ben-ali-has-left |title=Prime minister takes over as Ben Ali flees Tunisian turmoil |date=14 January 2011 |publisher=France 24 |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-date=10 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410130019/http://www.france24.com/en/20110114-tunisia-prime-minister-assumes-power-amid-reports-president-ben-ali-has-left/ |url-status=live }}]
[[File:Zabadehors.JPG|thumb|Translation from French: Ben Ali out]]
On the same day, Ben Ali fled the country for [[Malta]] under Libyan protection.[{{cite news |last=Laghmari |first=Jihen |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-13/tunisia-president-to-stand-down-in-2014-slash-prices-amid-riots.html |title=Tunisia President Hands Power to Prime Minister |publisher=Bloomberg |date=13 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=17 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117112943/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-13/tunisia-president-to-stand-down-in-2014-slash-prices-amid-riots.html |url-status=live}}] His aircraft landed in [[Jeddah]], Saudi Arabia, after France rejected a request to land on its territory. Saudi Arabia cited "exceptional circumstances" for their heavily criticised decision to give him asylum, saying it was also "in support of the security and stability of their country". Saudi Arabia demanded Ben Ali remain "out of politics" as a condition for accepting him.[{{Cite news|title=Ben Ali gets refuge in Saudi Arabia|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/201111652129710582.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=16 January 2011|archive-date=9 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209101330/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/201111652129710582.html|url-status=dead}}]
==Initial impact of Ben Ali's overthrow==
[[File:Ordre Armee tunisienne 2011.JPG|thumb|Tunisian soldiers serving as [[gendarmarie|gendarmes]]]]
Following Ben Ali's departure from the country, a [[state of emergency]] was declared. Army Commander [[Rachid Ammar]] pledged to "protect the revolution".[{{cite news |last=Shahine |first=Alaa |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-31/egypt-s-military-leaders-tighten-six-decade-government-grip-amid-protests.html |title=Egypt's Military Tightens Control Over Regime |publisher=Bloomberg [ |date=31 January 2011 |access-date=8 February 2011 |archive-date=7 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207194609/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-31/egypt-s-military-leaders-tighten-six-decade-government-grip-amid-protests.html |url-status=live}}] Prime Minister [[Mohamed Ghannouchi]] then briefly took over as acting president.[{{cite news|last=Ganley |first=Elaine |url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AF_TUNISIA_RIOTS?SITE=CTDAN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123025750/http://berkmancenter_webfeeds:%40Pwf%2497257@hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AF_TUNISIA_RIOTS?SITE=CTDAN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 November 2018 |title=NewsTimes.com – The Latest |agency=Associated Press |access-date=14 January 2011 }}] On the morning of 15 January, Tunisian state TV announced that Ben Ali had officially resigned his position and Ghannouchi had handed over the presidency to parliamentary speaker [[Fouad Mebazaa]], with Ghannouchi returning to his previous position as prime minister.[{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/world/africa/16tunis.html|title=New Change of Power Raises Questions in Tunisia|author=Kirkpatrick, David D.|work=The New York Times|date=15 January 2011|access-date=25 February 2017|archive-date=8 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408081835/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/world/africa/16tunis.html|url-status=live}}] This was done after the head of Tunisia's Constitutional Council, Fethi Abdennadher, declared that Ghannouchi did not have right to power, and confirmed [[Fouad Mebazaa]] as acting president under Article 57 of the constitution. Mebazaa was given 60 days to organise new [[2011 Tunisian parliamentary election|election]]s.[{{cite web |url=http://apnews.myway.com//article/20110115/D9KOQ2B01.html |title=Unrest engulfs Tunisia after president flees |publisher=Apnews.myway.com |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=26 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626122846/http://apnews.myway.com//article/20110115/D9KOQ2B01.html |url-status=dead }}] Mebazaa said it was in the country's best interest to form a [[national unity government]].[{{cite web |url=http://apnews.myway.com//article/20110115/D9KOQT000.html |title=Tunisia's interim president backs a unity govt |publisher=Apnews.myway.com |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=11 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111142738/http://apnews.myway.com/article/20110115/D9KOQT000.html |url-status=dead }}]
[[INTERPOL]] confirmed that its National Central Bureau (NCB) in Tunis had issued a global alert to find and arrest Ben Ali and six of his relatives.[{{cite web |url=http://www.interpol.int/Public/ICPO/PressReleases/PR2011/PR007.asp |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20110130042124/http://www.interpol.int/Public/ICPO/PressReleases/PR2011/PR007.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2011 |title=Interpol Press Release |publisher=Interpol |access-date=8 February 2011}}]
A commission to reform the constitution and law in general was set up under [[Yadh Ben Achour]].[{{cite web |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/01/17/en-tunisie-un-nouvel-executif-en-marche_1466513_3212.html |title=En Tunisie, le nouvel exécutif prépare les élections |work=Le Monde |location=Paris |date=17 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=19 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119052917/http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/01/17/en-tunisie-un-nouvel-executif-en-marche_1466513_3212.html |url-status=live }}] There were also calls by the opposition to delay the elections, holding them in six or seven months with international supervision.[{{cite web |url=http://www.lepoint.fr/fil-info-reuters/trois-chefs-de-l-opposition-dans-le-gouvernement-tunisien-16-01-2011-129922_240.php |title=Trois chefs de l'opposition dans le gouvernement tunisien, actualité Reuters |work=Le Point |date=17 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119072852/http://www.lepoint.fr/fil-info-reuters/trois-chefs-de-l-opposition-dans-le-gouvernement-tunisien-16-01-2011-129922_240.php |archive-date=19 January 2011 |url-status=dead}}]
[[File:Révolution des Jasmins 05.jpg|thumb|A Tunisian army tank deployed in front of the [[Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul]] in Tunis]]
Following Ben Ali's departure, violence and looting continued[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/2011115135844457245.html |title=Army on streets amid Tunisia unrest |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=15 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=1 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201042621/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/2011115135844457245.html |url-status=dead}}] The national army was reported to be extensively deployed in Tunisia,[{{Cite news|journal=Le Monde |title=Paris prêt à bloquer les comptes du clan Ben Ali en France |date=15 January 2011 |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/01/15/l-elysee-dit-surveiller-les-avoirs-financiers-tunisiens-en-france_1466190_3212.html#ens_id=1245377 |access-date=15 January 2011|quote=L'identité de ces hommes n'a pas été établie, mais un haut responsable militaire, s'exprimant sous couvert de l'anonymat, a affirmé que des éléments loyaux au président Ben Ali se déployaient à travers la Tunisie.|archive-date=19 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119053241/http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/01/15/l-elysee-dit-surveiller-les-avoirs-financiers-tunisiens-en-france_1466190_3212.html#ens_id=1245377|url-status=live}}]
A prison director in [[Mahdia]] freed about 1,000 inmates following a prison rebellion that left 5 people dead.[{{Cite news |author1=Ganley, Elaine |author2=Bouazza, Bouazza Ben |name-list-style=amp |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2042712,00.html |title=1,000 Inmates Freed Amid Tunisia Unrest |magazine=Time |date=15 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=16 February 2011 |archive-url=http://web.archive.bibalex.org/web/20110216151317/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2042712,00.html |url-status=dead }}] Many other prisons also had jailbreaks or raids from external groups to force prisoner releases, some suspected to be aided by prison guards. Residents who were running out of necessary food supplies had armed themselves and barricaded their homes, and in some cases had formed armed neighborhood watches. Al Jazeera's correspondent said there were apparently three different armed groups: the police (numbering 250,000), security forces from the Interior Ministry, and irregular militias supportive of Ben Ali who were vying for control.[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/20111167140864373.html |title=Tunisia gripped by uncertainty |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=16 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=4 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204083826/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/20111167140864373.html |url-status=dead }}]
Ali Seriati, head of presidential security, was arrested and accused of threatening state security by fomenting violence. Following this, gun battles took place near the Presidential Palace between the Tunisian army and elements of security organs loyal to the former regime.[{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12202283 |title=Tunis gun battles erupt after Ben Ali aide arrested |work=BBC News |date=16 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=25 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125234016/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12202283 |url-status=live}}] The Tunisian army was reportedly struggling to assert control.[{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/01/2011116102520122416.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119051628/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/01/2011116102520122416.html |archive-date=19 January 2011 |title=Tunisia army tries to restore calm |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=16 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011}}] Gunfire continued in Tunis and Carthage as security services struggled to maintain law and order.[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/2011116191514949896.html |title=Tunisia PM to unveil new government – Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=8 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208090949/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/2011116191514949896.html |url-status=dead }}]
The most immediate result of the protests was seen in increased [[Right to Internet access|Internet freedoms]].[{{cite web |author=York, Jillian C. |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/01/201111410250537313.html |title=Tunisia's taste of internet freedom – Opinion |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-date=19 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019205324/http://english.aljazeera.net//indepth/opinion/2011/01/201111410250537313.html |url-status=dead }}] While commentators were divided about the extent to which the Internet contributed to the ousting of Ben Ali,[Luke Alnutt (2012)[https://www.rferl.org/a/tunisia_can_we_please_stop_talking_about_twitter_revolutions/2277052.html TANGLED WEB Tunisia: Can We Please Stop Talking About 'Twitter Revolutions'?] . Retrieved 15 January 2011.][{{cite news |title=The social media myth about the Arab Spring |publisher=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/1/27/the-social-media-myth-about-the-arab-spring |date=27 January 2021 |last=Guesmi |first=Haythem}}][{{cite web |url=https://technosociology.org/?p=263 |title=Tunisia, Twitter, Aristotle, Social Media and Final and Efficient Causes |publisher=technosociology |date=21 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=17 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117191007/http://technosociology.org/?p=263 |url-status=live }}] Facebook remained accessible to roughly 20% of the population throughout the crisis[{{cite web |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-01-15/tunisa-protests-the-facebook-revolution |title=Tunisia Protests: The Facebook Revolution |work=The Daily Beast |date=15 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119222902/http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-01-15/tunisa-protests-the-facebook-revolution/ |archive-date=19 January 2011}}] whilst its passwords were hacked by a country-wide [[man-in-the-middle attack]].[{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/01/the-inside-story-of-how-facebook-responded-to-tunisian-hacks/70044/ |title=The Inside Story of How Facebook Responded to Tunisian Hacks |work=The Atlantic |date=24 January 2011 |first=Alexis |last=Madrigal |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416020500/https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/01/the-inside-story-of-how-facebook-responded-to-tunisian-hacks/70044/ |url-status=live}}] YouTube and [[DailyMotion]] became available after Ben Ali's ouster,[{{cite web |author=York, Jillian C. |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/01/201111410250537313.html |title=Tunisia's taste of internet freedom |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=14 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=19 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019205324/http://english.aljazeera.net//indepth/opinion/2011/01/201111410250537313.html |url-status=dead}}] and the [[Tor (anonymity network)|Tor anonymity network]] reported a surge of traffic from Tunisia.[{{cite web |url=https://blog.torproject.org/blog/update-tor-usage-tunisia |title=Update on Tor usage in Tunisia |publisher=The Tor Blog |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=16 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116033247/http://blog.torproject.org/blog/update-tor-usage-tunisia |url-status=live}}]
=== Displays of support ===
In France, where a large Tunisian diaspora resides, displays of support were organized in several cities, including Paris[{{Cite news |title=Manifestation de soutien aux Tunisiens à Paris : "Il fallait que la rage sorte" |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2011/01/07/manifestation-de-soutien-aux-tunisiens-a-paris_1462109_3224.html |website=le monde|date=7 January 2011 }}] [[Toulouse]],[{{Cite web |title=Manifestation de soutien au peuple tunisien à Toulouse |url=https://toulouse7.com/2011/01/15/manifestation-de-soutien-au-peuple-tunisien-a-toulouse/ |website=toulouse7|date=15 January 2011 }}] [[Lyon]],[{{Cite web |title=À Lyon, manifestation de soutien aux luttes des peuples Tunisien et Algérien |url=https://rebellyon.info/A-Lyon-manifestation-de-soutien |website=rebellyon|date=12 January 2011 }}] [[Nantes]], [[Marseille]], [[Nice]], [[Bordeaux]],[{{Cite news |title=En France, des milliers de manifestants célèbrent la chute du dictateur |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/01/15/en-france-des-milliers-de-manifestants-celebrent-la-chute-du-dictateur_1466204_3212.html |website=le monde|date=15 January 2011 }}] and [[Strasbourg]].[{{Cite web |title=8 000 manifestants à Paris, 200 à Strasbourg, pour célébrer la chute de Ben Ali |url=https://www.dna.fr/actualite/2011/01/15/8-000-manifestants-a-paris-200-a-strasbourg-pour-celebrer-la-chute-de-ben-ali |website=le monde|date=15 January 2011 }}]
==Ghannouchi government==
[[File:Manifestation UGTT anti RCD I.JPG|thumb|A protest by the General Labour Union]]
[[File:Révolution des Jasmains 01.jpg|thumb|Anti-RCD graffiti and vandalism]]
The Ghannouchi administration (15 January – 27 February 2011) was a caretaker government with the primary goal of maintaining the state and providing a legal framework for new elections.
Prime Minister [[Mohamed Ghannouchi]] announced his cabinet on 17 January 2011, three days after Ben Ali's departure. The cabinet included twelve members of the ruling RCD, the leaders of three opposition parties ([[Mustapha Ben Jafar]] from the [[Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties]] [FTDL], [[Ahmed Brahim (Tunisian politician)|Ahmed Brahim]] of the [[Ettajdid Movement]], and [[Ahmed Najib Chebbi]] of the PDP),[{{cite web|url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90031186?Tunisian%20prime%20minister%20invites%20all%20political%20parties%20to%20form%20unity%20government |title=Tunisian prime minister invites all political parties to form unity government |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120091646/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90031186?Tunisian%20prime%20minister%20invites%20all%20political%20parties%20to%20form%20unity%20government |archive-date=20 November 2011 }}] three representatives from the [[Tunisian General Labour Union]] (UGTT), and representatives of civil society (including prominent blogger [[Slim Amamou]]). Three notable movements not included in the [[national unity government]] were the banned [[Ennahda Movement]], the [[Tunisian Workers' Communist Party]][{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12225856|title=Could Tunisian opposition groups re-ignite the revolt?|author=Sadiki, Larbi|work=BBC News|date=19 January 2011|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-date=19 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119112847/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12225856|url-status=live}}] and the secular reformist [[Congress for the Republic]].[{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12214649|title=Tunisia: Key players|work=BBC News|date=27 February 2011|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910105625/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12214649|url-status=live}}] The following day, the three members of the UGTT and Ben Jafaar resigned, saying that they had "no confidence" in a government featuring members of the RCD.[Chrisafis, Angelique (18 January 2011) [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/18/tunisia-caretaker-government-ministers-quit "Tunisia's caretaker government in peril as four ministers quit,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226012805/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jan/18/tunisia-caretaker-government-ministers-quit |date=26 February 2017 }} ''The Guardian''. Retrieved 22 January 2011][David D. Kirkpatrick, [http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110122/znyt03/101223013 "Protesters Say Ruling Party in Tunisia Must Dissolve,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181327/http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110122/znyt03/101223013 |date=3 March 2016 }} ''Herald Tribune'' (21 January 2011). [. Retrieved 22 January 2011]][{{Cite news| title=Tunisia announces withdrawal of 3 ministers from unity gov't: TV | date=18 January 2011 | work=[[People's Daily]] | url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7264930.html |access-date=20 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122090218/http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7264930.html |archive-date=22 January 2011 |url-status=dead }}]
There were daily protests that members of Ben Ali's RCD party were in the new government. Thousands of anti-RCD protesters rallied in a protests with relatively little violence.[{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Article/201009115896853 |title=Tunisia: Violence As New Govt Announced |publisher=BSkyB |access-date=23 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120165651/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Article/201009115896853 |archive-date=20 January 2011 }}] On 18 January, demonstrations were held in Tunis, [[Sfax]], [[Gabes]], [[Bizerta]], [[Sousse]] and [[Monastir, Tunisia|Monastir]].[{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12220862|title=Tunisia: New government leaders quit ruling party|work=BBC News|date=18 January 2011|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-date=25 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125090649/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12220862|url-status=live}}]
On 20 January, Zouhair M'Dhaffer, a close confidant of Ben Ali, resigned from the government. All other RCD ministers resigned from the party and the central committee of the RCD disbanded itself.[{{cite news |url=https://taz.de/!5128299/ |title=Regierungsbildung in Tunesien: Ben Alis Partei ohne Politbüro |work=die Tageszeitung |date=20 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |language=de |archive-date=27 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127024439/http://taz.de/1/politik/afrika/artikel/1/ben-alis-partei-ohne-politbuero/ |url-status=live }}][{{cite news |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/01/20/8-Tunisian-leaders-quit-ruling-party/UPI-57211295546906/ |title=8 Tunisian leaders quit ruling party |work=United Press International |date=20 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031015223/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/01/20/8-Tunisian-leaders-quit-ruling-party/UPI-57211295546906/ |url-status=live}}] The new government announced in its first sitting that all political prisoners would be freed and all banned parties would be legalised.[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/20111215365840302.html |title=Tunisia mourns unrest victims |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=21 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=8 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208090955/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/20111215365840302.html |url-status=dead}}] The next day, Ghannouchi committed to resigning after holding transparent and free elections within six months.[{{cite web |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/tunisia_pm_quit_politics/2283958.html |title=Tunisian PM Pledges To Quit Politics After Elections |publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=22 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183639/http://www.rferl.org/content/tunisia_pm_quit_politics/2283958.html |url-status=live}}]
Police began to join the protests in Tunis on 23 January over salaries, and to deflect blame over political deaths attributed to them during Ben Ali's rule.[{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/tunisian-police-join-protesters-2192189.html|title=Tunisian police join protesters|work=[[The Independent]]|date=23 January 2011|access-date=10 July 2020|archive-date=11 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711173254/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/tunisian-police-join-protesters-2192189.html|url-status=live}}] Army chief [[Rachid Ammar]] declares that the armed forces are also on the side of the protesters and would "defend the revolution".[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/2011124163051778391.html |title=Tunisia cabinet to be reshuffled |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=24 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=9 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209101614/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/01/2011124163051778391.html |url-status=dead }}]
On 27 January, Ghannounchi reshuffled his cabinet, with six former-RCD members departing the interim government. Only Ghannouchi and the ministers of industry and international cooperation (who had not been RCD members) remained from Ben Ali's old government. This was seen as meeting one of the protesters' demands,[{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12302232 |title=Tunisia announces major cabinet reshuffle after protest |work=BBC News |date=27 January 2011 |access-date=8 February 2011 |archive-date=7 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207185343/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12302232 |url-status=live}}] and the UGTT stated its support for the reorganised cabinet.[Kirkpatrick, David D. (27 January 2011) [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/world/africa/28tunisia.html Most Members of Old Cabinet in Tunisia Step Down] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107075659/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/world/africa/28tunisia.html |date=7 November 2016 }}. ''The New York Times''] New ministers included state attorney [[Farhat Rajhi]] as interior minister, retired career diplomat [[Ahmed Ounaies]] as foreign minister, and economist Elyes Jouini as minister delegate to the prime minister in charge of administrative and economic reform.[[http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7275560.html Tunisian labor union backs reshuffle of interim government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018195047/http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7275560.html |date=18 October 2012 }}. People's Daily Online, 28 January 2011.] Ounaies later resigned after praising a foreign politician with ties to Ben Ali.[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201121314913447933.html |title=Tunisian foreign minister resigns |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=13 February 2011 |access-date=13 February 2011 |archive-date=14 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214093454/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201121314913447933.html |url-status=dead }}] [[Mouldi Kefi]] became the new foreign minister on 21 February.[{{cite web |url=http://www.shemsfm.net/actualite/actualites_tunisie-news/mouldi-kefi-est-le-nouveau-ministre-des-affaires-etrangeres/12 |title=Mouldi Kefi est le nouveau Ministre des Affaires Etrangères |publisher=Shemsfm.net |access-date=1 March 2011 |archive-date=24 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224032123/http://www.shemsfm.net/actualite/actualites_tunisie-news/mouldi-kefi-est-le-nouveau-ministre-des-affaires-etrangeres/12 |url-status=dead}}]
By 3 February, all 24 regional governors had been replaced.[{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-protests-governors-idUSTRE7127X520110203 |title=Tunisia replaces regional governors |work=Reuters |date=3 February 2011 |access-date=8 February 2011 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201090644/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-protests-governors-idUSTRE7127X520110203 |url-status=live }}] Days later, the government reached an agreement with the UGTT on the nomination of new governors.[{{cite web |url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7281826.html |title=Tunisian gov't reaches agreement with labor union on governor nomination – People's Daily Online |work=People's Daily |access-date=11 February 2011 |archive-date=18 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018234638/http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7281826.html |url-status=dead }}] The Interior Ministry replaced 34 top-level security officials who were a part of Ben Ali's security infrastructure. Mebazaa promised a national dialogue to address protester demands.[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201121210345525985.html |title=Middle East rulers make concessions – Middle East |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=13 February 2011 |archive-date=13 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213085609/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201121210345525985.html |url-status=dead }}]
Sidi Bouzid and [[El Kef]] saw violence in early February with protesters killed and a police car set on fire. A local police chief was arrested.[{{cite news|author=Bouazza Ben Bouazza|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/tunisian-police-chief-fires-on-crowd-kills-2|title=Tunisian police fire on crowd, killing 2|publisher=Fox News Channel|date=5 February 2011|access-date=9 September 2013|archive-date=11 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111150041/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/05/tunisian-police-chief-fires-crowd-kills-1796100495/|url-status=live}}]
On 7 February, the defense ministry called up soldiers discharged in the previous five years to help control unrest.[{{cite web |url=http://apnews.myway.com//article/20110207/D9L853V00.html |title=Tunisia calls up reserve troops amid unrest |publisher=Apnews.myway.com |access-date=8 February 2011 |archive-date=28 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628155154/http://apnews.myway.com//article/20110207/D9L853V00.html |url-status=dead }}]
The first steps were taken on a bill that would give Mebazaa emergency powers, allowing him to bypass the RCD-dominated parliament.[{{cite news|last=Bouderbala |first=Sofia |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5juBHIGNP6tw4F6SZgHqEqUv_71IA?docId=CNG.f633c1f93ead7c4ea82895634cdfeeaf.481 |agency=Agence France-Presse |title=Tunisian lawmakers approve emergency powers |access-date=8 February 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208041905/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5juBHIGNP6tw4F6SZgHqEqUv_71IA?docId=CNG.f633c1f93ead7c4ea82895634cdfeeaf.481 |archive-date=8 February 2011 }}] The bill would allow Mebazaa to ratify international human-rights treaties without parliament;[{{cite web |url=http://derstandard.at/1297216065664/Praesident-gestaerkt-Tunesiens-Parlament-entmachtet-sich |title=Tunesiens Parlament entmachtet sich |work=Der Standard |access-date=11 February 2011 |archive-date=13 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213091615/http://derstandard.at/1297216065664/Praesident-gestaerkt-Tunesiens-Parlament-entmachtet-sich |url-status=dead }}] he had previously stated that Tunisia would accede to the [[International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance]], the [[Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court|Rome Statute]] of the [[International Criminal Court]], the [[Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment]], and the [[First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights|First]] and [[Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]] (which would mean abolishing the death penalty).[{{cite web|url=http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files_156/tunisia_286/france-and-tunisia_5166/political-relations_5169/tunisia-endorsement-of-major-international-commitments-relating-to-human-rights-02.02.11_14974.html |title=France-Diplomatie |publisher=Diplomatie.gouv.fr |access-date=11 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203902/http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files_156/tunisia_286/france-and-tunisia_5166/political-relations_5169/tunisia-endorsement-of-major-international-commitments-relating-to-human-rights-02.02.11_14974.html |archive-date=28 June 2011 }}]
Reports emerged on 18 February that Ben Ali had had a stroke and was gravely ill.[{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12497988 |title=Tunisia's Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali 'seriously ill' |work=BBC News |date=17 February 2011 |access-date=20 February 2011 |archive-date=20 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220014817/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12497988 |url-status=live }}] Plans for a general amnesty were also announced on that day.[{{cite web |url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7293137.html |title=Tunisian PM says general amnesty to be proclaimed this week – People's Daily Online |work=People's Daily |date=19 February 2011 |access-date=1 March 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629192825/http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7293137.html |url-status=dead }}]
Protests flared on 19 February, with 40,000 protesters demanding a new interim government completely free of association with the old regime, and a parliamentary system of government replacing the current presidential one.[{{cite web |url=https://www.haaretz.com/2011-02-20/ty-article/tunisia-protests-resume-for-second-straight-day-amid-uncertainty-of-future-government/0000017f-dbdc-d856-a37f-ffdc3eac0000 |title=Tunisia protests resume for second straight day amid uncertainty of future government |work=Haaretz |location=Israel |date=20 February 2011 |access-date=1 March 2011 |archive-date=7 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107173840/http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/tunisia-protests-resume-for-second-straight-day-amid-uncertainty-of-future-government-1.344628 |url-status=live }}][{{cite web |url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7294037.html |title=Thousands call for setting up parliamentary system in Tunisia – People's Daily Online |work=People's Daily |date=21 February 2011 |access-date=1 March 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629192517/http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7294037.html |url-status=dead }}]
As a date was announced for an [[2011 Tunisian general election|election]] in mid-July 2011, more than 100,000 protesters demanded the removal of Ghannouchi.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} On 27 February, following a day of clashes in which five protesters were killed, Ghannouchi resigned. He stated that he had carried his responsibilities since Ben Ali fled, and "I am not ready to be the person who takes decisions that would end up causing casualties. This resignation will serve Tunisia, and the revolution and the future of Tunisia."[{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12591445 | title = Tunisian PM Mohammed Ghannouchi resigns over protests | publisher = BBC | date = 27 February 2011 | access-date = 21 July 2018 | archive-date = 20 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181120152617/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12591445 | url-status = live }}][{{Cite news | title = Tunisian prime minister resigns amid renewed protests | url = http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/27/tunisia.government/ | publisher = CNN | date = 1 April 2011 | access-date = 27 February 2011 | archive-date = 27 February 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110227163550/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/27/tunisia.government/ | url-status = dead }}]
==Caïd Essebsi government==
[[Béji Caïd Essebsi]] became prime minister, appointed by Mebazaa on the day Ghannouchi resigned.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} Although the cabinet was now free of RCD members, demonstrations continued as the protesters criticized the unilateral appointment of Essebsi without consultation.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}
Ghannouchi's resignation was followed the next day by the resignations of industry minister [[Afif Chelbi]] and international co-operation minister [[Mohamed Nouri Jouini]]. There were now protests for the entire interim government to resign, with the UGTT calling for an elected constituent assembly to write a new constitution.[{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c98b8226-4382-11e0-8f0d-00144feabdc0 |title=/ Middle East & North Africa – Two more Tunisian ministers resign |work=Financial Times |date=28 February 2011 |access-date=1 March 2011 |archive-date=1 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301155656/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c98b8226-4382-11e0-8f0d-00144feabdc0.html |url-status=dead }}] Further resignations were reported on 1 March: minister for higher education and scientific research [[Ahmed Brahim (politician)|Ahmed Brahim]],[{{cite news | title=Tunisia Minister of Higher Education Ahmed Brahim Tells Reuters | agency=Reuters | date=1 March 2011}}] minister of local development Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, and minister of economic reform Elyes Jouini.[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201131134458332348.html |title=Tunisian ministers continue to quit |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=1 March 2011 |access-date=22 June 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629212610/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201131134458332348.html |url-status=dead }}]
Mebazaa announced [[2011 Tunisian Constituent Assembly election|elections to a Constituent Assembly]] would be held on 24 July 2011. This would likely postpone [[2011 Tunisian general election|general elections]] to a later date.[{{cite web |url=http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n243650 |title=Tunisia to elect constituent assembly on 24 July, says president – FOCUS Information Agency |publisher=Focus-fen.net |access-date=22 June 2011 |archive-date=2 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102203954/http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n243650 |url-status=dead }}] This fulfilled a central demand of protesters.[{{cite web |url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7308013.html |title=Tunisia's interim president announces election of constitutional council – People's Daily Online |work=People's Daily |date=4 March 2011 |access-date=22 June 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629193825/http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7308013.html |url-status=dead }}]
In early March, the interim government announced that the secret police would be dissolved.[{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12669461 | work=BBC News | title=Tunisia interim leaders dissolve secret police agency | date=7 March 2011 | access-date=21 July 2018 | archive-date=23 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123085338/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12669461 | url-status=live }}] A Tunis court announced the dissolution of the RCD and liquidation of its assets, though the party said it would appeal the decision.[{{Cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/26/tunisia.warrant/ |title=Tunisia issues warrant for ousted leader, family members |publisher=CNN |date=26 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227031450/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/26/tunisia.warrant/ |url-status=dead }}] There were 18 charges, including voluntary manslaughter and drug trafficking. His family and former ministers faced 26 further charges.[{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13082028 | work=BBC News | title=Tunisia's former President Ben Ali faces 18 charges | date=14 April 2011 | access-date=21 July 2018 | archive-date=27 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127000526/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13082028 | url-status=live }}]
The elections were further postponed and ultimately held on 23 October 2011. The election appointed members to a [[Constituent Assembly of Tunisia|Constituent Assembly]] charged with rewriting Tunisia's Constitution.[{{cite web|url=http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZW20110301000110 |title=Zawya |publisher=Zawya |access-date=23 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810061035/http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZW20110301000110 |archive-date=10 August 2011 }}] won with 41% of the total vote.[{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june12/tunisia_02-15.html|title="Post Revolution Tunisia Attempts Painful Transition to Democracy" PBS Newshour|date=15 February 2012|access-date=17 September 2017|archive-date=21 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121195926/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june12/tunisia_02-15.html|url-status=dead}}]
==Effects==
===Refugees===
In mid-February 2011, about 4,000 mostly Tunisian refugees landed on the Italian island of [[Lampedusa]], causing the authorities to declare a state of emergency[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/02/20112122328974957.html |title=Italy declares migrant emergency – Europe |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=13 February 2011 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916061931/https://www.aljazeera.com/ |url-status=dead }}] that would allow for federal aid to the island. Italian Interior Minister [[Roberto Maroni]] accused the EU of not doing enough to curb immigration and asked them to do more.[{{cite news|agency=Agenzia Giornalistica Italia |url=http://www.agi.it/english-version/world/elenco-notizie/201102112043-pol-ren1094-tunisia_italy_asks_eu_to_start_frontex_mission |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110629122522/http://www.agi.it/english-version/world/elenco-notizie/201102112043-pol-ren1094-tunisia_italy_asks_eu_to_start_frontex_mission |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2011 |title=Tunisia: Italy Asks Eu To Start Frontex Mission |publisher=Agi.it |access-date=13 February 2011 }}] He said that the "Tunisian system was collapsing" and that he would "ask the Tunisian Foreign Ministry for permission for our authorities to intervene to stop the flow in Tunisia", suggesting Italian troops would be on Tunisian soil.[{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12443740 |title=Italy 'to deploy police to Tunisia' to tackle migration |work=BBC News |date=13 February 2011 |access-date=13 February 2011 |archive-date=14 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214141428/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12443740 |url-status=live }}] He called the event a "biblical exodus". The comments started a row between the two countries with the Tunisian Foreign Ministry saying it was ready to work with Italy and others but that it "categorically rejects any interference in its internal affairs or any infringement of its sovereignty." In response, Italy's Foreign Minister [[Franco Frattini]] said that both countries share a "common interest" to halt the immigration, while he also offered "logistical help in terms of police and equipment" and called to re-establish previously successful coastal patrols of Northern Africa. By 14 February, at least 2,000 refugees had been sent to [[Sicily]] with the other 2,000 [[quarantine]]d at a re-opened holding center.[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/03/201132135258524383.html |title=Tunisian migrants land in Italy |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=2 March 2011 |access-date=22 June 2011 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916061932/https://www.aljazeera.com/ |url-status=dead }}]
The [[International Organization for Migration]] said that no new boats had been spotted. The EU's Catherine Ashton was on a visit to Tunisia to discuss the issue.{{update inline|date=May 2019}} German Chancellor [[Angela Merkel]] said that "not everyone who does not want to be in Tunisia can come to Europe. Rather, we need to talk to each other how we can strengthen the rule of law in Tunisia again and whether Europe can be of help."[{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/02/2011214133653175984.html |title=Italy struggles with Tunisia influx – Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=14 February 2011 |access-date=20 February 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629051631/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/02/2011214133653175984.html |url-status=dead }}]
===Stock market===
The national stock market, the [[Bourse de Tunis]] (TUNINDEX), fell on 12 January for a three consecutive day loss of 9.3%.[{{cite web |url=http://www.africanmanager.com/site_eng/detail_article.php?art_id=16151 |title=Tunisia: further decline in Tunis stock market for third consecutive day |publisher=Africanmanager.com |access-date=15 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707094758/http://www.africanmanager.com/site_eng/detail_article.php?art_id=16151 |archive-date=7 July 2011}}] Following the curfew in Tunis, the market index again fell 3.8% as the cost of protecting against a [[sovereign default]] in [[credit default swaps]] rose to its highest level in almost two years.[{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-13/tunisia-stocks-slump-to-year-low-as-troops-deployed-to-tunis-amid-curfew.html|title=Tunisia Stocks Slump to Year-Low as Troops Deployed to Tunis Amid Curfew|author=Namatalla, Ahmed|work=Bloomberg|date=13 January 2011|access-date=12 March 2017|archive-date=3 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103110728/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-13/tunisia-stocks-slump-to-year-low-as-troops-deployed-to-tunis-amid-curfew.html|url-status=live}}][{{Cite news|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/tunisiaNews/idAFLDE70C11W20110113|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811030032/http://af.reuters.com/article/tunisiaNews/idAFLDE70C11W20110113|url-status=live|archive-date=11 August 2011|title=Tunisia c.bank CDS at 18-mth high of 154 bps-CMA | work=Reuters | date=13 January 2011}}]
Following the resignations of Ghanoucchi and two Ben Ali-era ministers, the bourse was again suspended.[{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/tunisia-government-jouini-idUSLDE71R2G620110228 |title=Second Tunisian minister quits, bourse suspended |work=Reuters |date=28 February 2011 |access-date=1 March 2011 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201090644/http://www.reuters.com/article/tunisia-government-jouini-idUSLDE71R2G620110228 |url-status=live }}]
===International and non-state===
[[File:Manif tunisie Nantes.JPG|thumb|[[Nantes]], France, demonstration in support of the Tunisian protests]]
{{Main|International reactions to the Tunisian revolution}}
Many governments and supranational organisations expressed concerns over use of force against protesters. France, the former colonial power of Tunisia, was one of just a few states that expressed strong support for the Ben Ali government prior to its ouster, though protests were held in solidarity with Tunisia in several French cities, with the [[French Socialist Party]] voicing support for the popular revolution.
===Media and punditry===
[[File:The rest will follow (2010–2011 Arab world protests).jpg|thumb|left|"The rest will follow". Symbolic middle finger gesture representing the Tunisian Revolution and its influences in the Arab world. From left to right, the fingers are painted as flags of [[Flag of Libya (1977–2011)|Muammar Gaddafi's Libya]], [[Flag of Egypt|Egypt]], [[Flag of Tunisia|Tunisia]], [[Flag of Sudan|Sudan]] and [[Flag of Algeria|Algeria]].]]
The lack of coverage in the domestic state-controlled media was criticised.[{{cite web |author=York, Jillian |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/01/20111981222719974.html |title=Activist crackdown: Tunisia vs Iran – Opinion |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=9 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=19 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019205356/http://english.aljazeera.net//indepth/opinion/2011/01/20111981222719974.html |url-status=dead }}]
Despite criticism about the "sparse" level of coverage and "little interest" given to the demonstrations by the international media, the protests were hailed by some commentators as "momentous events" in Tunisian history.[{{Cite news|author=Whitaker, Brian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/dec/28/tunisia-ben-ali|title=How a man setting fire to himself sparked an uprising in Tunisia|date=28 December 2010|work=The Guardian|location=UK|access-date=28 December 2010|archive-date=17 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417222628/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/dec/28/tunisia-ben-ali|url-status=live}}] Steven Cook, writing for the [[Council of Foreign Relations]], noted that a [[Tipping point (sociology)|tipping point]] is only obvious after the fact, and pointed to the counter-example of the [[2009–2010 Iranian election protests]].[{{cite web |url=http://blogs.cfr.org/cook/2011/01/06/the-last-days-of-ben-ali/ |title=The Last Days of Ben Ali? |publisher=Steven Cook's Blog |date=6 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=3 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603192541/http://blogs.cfr.org/cook/2011/01/06/the-last-days-of-ben-ali/ |url-status=dead }}] Ben Ali's governing strategy was nevertheless regarded as being in serious trouble,[{{cite web |url=http://blogs.cfr.org/abrams/2011/01/07/is-tunisia-next/ |title=Is Tunisia Next? |publisher=Elliott Abrams: Pressure Points |date=7 January 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-date=10 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410174850/http://blogs.cfr.org/abrams/2011/01/07/is-tunisia-next/ |url-status=dead }}]
French management of the crisis came under severe criticism,[{{cite web |url=http://www.lepost.fr/article/2011/01/15/2371842_la-calamiteuse-gestion-de-la-crise-tunisienne-par-la-diplomatie-francaise.html |title=La calamiteuse gestion de la crise tunisienne par la diplomatie française – calvero sur |publisher=Lepost.fr |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605201309/http://www.lepost.fr/article/2011/01/15/2371842_la-calamiteuse-gestion-de-la-crise-tunisienne-par-la-diplomatie-francaise.html |url-status=dead }}] with notable silence in the mainstream media in the run-up to the crisis.[{{cite web |first=Claire |last=Ulrich |url=https://globalvoices.org/2011/01/16/france-our-embarassing-ex-friend-monsieur-ben-ali/ |title=France: Our Embarrassing Ex Friend, Monsieur Ben Ali |publisher=Global Voices |date=16 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=26 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126172143/http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/01/16/france-our-embarassing-ex-friend-monsieur-ben-ali/ |url-status=live }}]
==Repercussion analysis==
''[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]'' believed the ousting of the president meant the "glass ceiling of fear has been shattered forever in Tunisia and that the police state that Ben Ali created in 1987 when he came to power in a coup seems to be disintegrating". It added that Ben Ali's resignation, following his statement that he had been "duped by his entourage", may not have been entirely sincere. ''[[Le Monde]]'' criticised French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the European Union's "Silence over the Tragedy" when the unrest broke.[{{cite web |author=Ahelbarra, Hashem |url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/2011/01/14/tunisia-end-era |title=Tunisia: The end of an era | Al Jazeera Blogs |publisher=Blogs.aljazeera.net |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-date=30 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330084315/http://blogs.aljazeera.net/2011/01/14/tunisia-end-era |url-status=dead }}] ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'' suggested that [[mobile telecommunications]] played an influential role in the "revolution".[{{cite web |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/Africa-Monitor/2011/0115/Tunisia-s-Jasmine-Revolution-and-how-mobile-phones-helped-it-happen |title=Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution, and how mobile phones helped it happen |work=The Christian Science Monitor |date=15 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=2 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202073844/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/Africa-Monitor/2011/0115/Tunisia-s-Jasmine-Revolution-and-how-mobile-phones-helped-it-happen |url-status=live }}]
The revolt in Tunisia began speculation that the Tunisian Jasmine Revolution would lead to protests against the multiple other autocratic regimes across the [[Arab world]]. This was most famously captured in the phrase asking whether "Tunisia is the Arab [[Gdańsk]]?". The allusion refers to the Polish [[Solidarity (Polish trade union)|Solidarity movement]] and the role of Gdańsk as the birthplace of the movement that [[Collapse of Communism|ousted Communism in Eastern Europe]]. The phrase appeared in outlets such as the [[BBC]],[{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9362000/9362677.stm |title=Today – Is this the 'Arab world's Gdansk?' |work=BBC News |date=15 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=15 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815065750/http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9362000/9362677.stm |url-status=live }}] as well as editorials by columnists [[Rami George Khouri|Rami Khouri]][{{cite web |url=https://mondoweiss.net/2011/01/khouri-tunisia-is-gdansk-shipyard-of-80-with-jazeera-as-megaphone-to-other-arab-countries/ |title=Khouri: Tunisia is Gdansk shipyard of '80 with Jazeera as megaphone to other Arab countries! |publisher=Mondoweiss.net |date=16 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=28 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128230328/http://mondoweiss.net/2011/01/khouri-tunisia-is-gdansk-shipyard-of-80-with-jazeera-as-megaphone-to-other-arab-countries.html |url-status=live}}] and [[Roger Cohen]].[{{Cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/opinion/18iht-edcohen18.html | title = The Arab Gdansk | access-date = 28 January 2011 | author = Cohen, Roger | work = The New York Times | date = 17 January 2011 | archive-date = 14 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121114133614/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/opinion/18iht-edcohen18.html | url-status = live }}]
[[Larbi Sadiki]] suggested that although "conventional wisdom has it that 'terror' in the Arab world is monopolised by al-Qaeda in its various incarnations", there was also the fact that "regimes in countries like Tunisia and Algeria have been arming and training security apparatuses to fight Osama bin Laden [but] were [still] caught unawares by the 'bin Laden within': the terror of marginalisation for the millions of educated youth who make up a large portion of the region's population. The winds of uncertainty blowing in the Arab west – the [[Maghreb]] – threaten to blow eastwards towards the [[Levant]] as the marginalised issue the fatalistic scream of despair to be given freedom and bread or death."[{{cite web |author=Sadiki, Larbi |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/01/201111413424337867.html |title=The 'bin Laden' of marginalisation – Opinion |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-date=19 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019205319/http://english.aljazeera.net//indepth/opinion/2011/01/201111413424337867.html |url-status=dead }}] A similar opinion by Lamis Ardoni carried by Al Jazeera said that the protests had "brought down the walls of fear, erected by repression and marginalization, thus restoring the Arab peoples' faith in their ability to demand social justice and end tyranny." He also said that the protests that succeeded in toppling the leadership should serve as a "warning to all leaders, whether supported by international or regional powers, that they are no longer immune to popular outcries of fury" even though Tunisia's ostensible change "could still be contained or confiscated by the country's ruling elite, which is desperately clinging to power." He called the protests the "Tunisian [[wikt:intifada|intifada]]" which had "placed the Arab world at a crossroads". He further added that if the change was ultimately successful in Tunisia it could "push the door wide open to freedom in Arab world. If it suffers a setback we shall witness unprecedented repression by rulers struggling to maintain their absolute grip on power. Either way, a system that combined a starkly unequal distribution of wealth with the denial of freedoms has collapsed."[{{cite web |author=Andoni, Lamis |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/01/2011115135046129936.html |title=To the tyrants of the Arab world... |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=16 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=19 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119032055/http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/01/2011115135046129936.html |url-status=dead }}]
Similarly, [[Mark LeVine]] noted that the events in Tunisia could spiral into the rest of the [[Arab world]] as the movement was "inspiring people...to take to the streets and warn their own sclerotic and autocratic leaders that they could soon face a similar fate." He then cited solidarity protests in Egypt where protesters chanted "[[Kefaya]]" and "We are next, we are next, Ben Ali tell Mubarak he is next;" and that Arab bloggers were supporting the movement in Tunisia as "the African revolution commencing...the global anti-capitalist revolution." He concluded that there were two scenarios that could play out: "a greater democratic opening across the Arab world," or a similar situation to Algeria in the early 1990s when the [[1991 Algerian legislative election|democratic election]] was annulled and Algeria went into a [[Algerian Civil War|civil war]].[{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/01/20111167156465567.html|title=Tunisia: How the US got it wrong|access-date=17 January 2011|archive-date=17 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117231008/http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/01/20111167156465567.html|url-status=dead}}]
[[Robert Fisk]] asked if this was "The end of the age of dictators in the Arab world?" and partly answered the question in saying that Arab leaders would be "shaking in their boots". He also pointed out that the "despot" Ben Ali sought refuge in the same place as the ousted [[Idi Amin]] of [[Uganda]] and that "the French and the Germans and the Brits, dare we mention this, always praised the dictator for being a 'friend' of civilized Europe, keeping a firm hand on all those Islamists." He notably pointed at the "demographic explosion of youth" of the Maghreb, though he said that the change brought about in Tunisia may not last. He thinks "this is going to be the same old story. Yes, we would like a democracy in Tunisia – but not too much democracy. Remember how we wanted Algeria to have a democracy back in the early Nineties? Then when it looked like the Islamists might win the second round of voting, we supported its military-backed government in suspending elections and crushing the Islamists and initiating a civil war in which 150,000 died. No, in the Arab world, we want law and order and stability."[{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/the-brutal-truth-about-tunisia-2186287.html|title=The brutal truth about Tunisia|work=The Independent|location=London|first=Robert|last=Fisk|date=17 January 2011|access-date=17 September 2017|archive-date=28 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328163128/http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/the-brutal-truth-about-tunisia-2186287.html|url-status=live}}]
Blake Hounshell wrote on Foreignpolicy.com that the Tunisian precedent raised the prospect of a "new trend. There is something horrifying and, in a way, moving about these suicide attempts. It's a shocking, desperate tactic that instantly attracts attention, revulsion, but also sympathy."[{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12206551|title=BBC News - Why do people set themselves on fire?|work=BBC News |date=17 January 2011|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-date=22 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122165857/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/world-12206551|url-status=live}}]
===Impact of the Internet===
{{Further|Internet#Politics and political revolutions}}
The use of communication technologies, and the Internet in particular, has been widely credited as a contributor to the mobilization of protests.[Kravets, David. (22 August 2013) [https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/ Threat Level] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330162246/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/ |date=30 March 2014 }}. ''Wired''. Retrieved 9 September 2013.] A blog associated with ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' described the intricate efforts of the Tunisian authorities to control such online media as[{{cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/01/tunisia/|title=Tweeting Tyrants Out of Tunisia: Global Internet at Its Best|publisher=Threat Level / Wired|first1=Nate|last1=Anderson|first2=Ars|last2=Technica|date=14 January 2011|access-date=12 March 2017|archive-date=17 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217184810/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/01/tunisia/|url-status=live}}] Twitter and Facebook. Other regional regimes were also on higher alert to contain spillover effects that might have ensued.
On 11 March 2011, [[Reporters Without Borders]] gave its annual award for online media freedom to the Tunisian blogging group [[Nawaat.org]]. Founded in 2004, it played an important role for rallying anti-government protesters by reporting on the protests which the national media ignored.[[https://web.archive.org/web/20110314155555/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jn6P6Y2M4esLbvifHY0Foqb2vQTA?docId=361d3296b81a471bbfffeccbe1202202 Tunisian bloggers win online media award], [[Associated Press|AP]], 11 March 2011]
==Regional instability==
{{Main|Arab Spring}}
{{See also|Mohamed Bouazizi#Related incidents}}
In January 2011, the BBC reported: "Clearly the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi has resonated across the region...'There is great interest. The Egyptian people and the Egyptian public have been following the events in Tunisia with so much joy, since they can draw parallels between the Tunisian situation and their own.{{' "}}[{{cite news |last=Westcott |first=Kathryn |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12206551 |title=Why do people set themselves on fire? |work=BBC News |date=18 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-date=25 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125204115/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12206551 |url-status=live}}]
After the beginning of the uprising in Tunisia, a [[2011 Egyptian revolution|similar revolution in Egypt]] led to the removal of president [[Hosni Mubarak]] on 11 February, in turn triggering a wider series of protests across the [[Arab world]]. Major demonstrations against longtime Libyan leader [[Muammar Gaddafi]] broke out on 17 February and quickly deteriorated into [[Libyan civil war (2011)|civil war]], ultimately resulting in the downfall of the Gaddafi regime later in the year. In Syria, an [[Syrian revolution|uprising]] demanding the removal of President [[Bashar al-Assad]] also deteriorated into a [[Syrian civil war|civil war]], and partly causing the current [[Refugees of the Syrian civil war|refugee crisis]]. In addition, [[Yemeni revolution|Yemen]], [[2011 Bahraini uprising|Bahrain]], and [[2010–2012 Algerian protests|Algeria]] also saw major protests.
However, a financial analyst in [[Dubai]] suggested that "the spillover effect of the political turbulence to the large countries in the [[Gulf Cooperation Council]] is non-existent as there are no similar drivers."[{{cite news |last=Hankir |first=Zahra |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-30/dubai-shares-plunge-most-in-year-lead-gulf-drop-on-egypt-risk-protests.html |title=Dubai Shares Fall Most Since May on Egypt Unrest, Pacing Mideast Decline |publisher=Bloomberg |date=30 January 2011 |access-date=1 February 2011 |archive-date=1 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201013633/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-30/dubai-shares-plunge-most-in-year-lead-gulf-drop-on-egypt-risk-protests.html |url-status=live}}]
==Aftermath==
In mid-May 2013, Tunisia banned the [[Salafi jihadism|Salafi Jihadist]] [[Ansar al-Sharia (Tunisia)|Ansar al-Sharia]] organization from carrying out party congresses. The day after the congress was due to be carried out, clashes between security forces and party supporters in [[Kairouan]] resulted in one death amid attempts to disperse those who wanted to carry out the events.[[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/05/20135198155650292.html Salafist group clashes with police in Tunisia – Africa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813181429/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/05/20135198155650292.html |date=13 August 2020 }}. ''Al Jazeera''. 20 May 2013.]
The Tunisian president, Beji Caïd Essebsi, renewed the state of emergency in October 2015 for three months due to previous terror attacks.[{{Cite news|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2016/10/why-is-the-state-of-emergency-renewed-three-times-tunisia.html|title=The real reason Tunisia renewed its state of emergency|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220140248/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/why-is-the-state-of-emergency-renewed-three-times-tunisia.html|archive-date=20 December 2016}}] In August 2019, the United States aided Tunisia with $335 million that will be given in five years to support its democratic transition and help in funding projects and initiatives that would develop the country.[{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-economy-idUSKCN1VI1RT|title=U.S. gives Tunisia $335 million in financial aid over five years|date=28 August 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=29 August 2019|language=en|archive-date=28 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828235123/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tunisia-economy-idUSKCN1VI1RT|url-status=live}}]
The European Commission is refusing to release the results of a human rights inquiry in Tunisia, raising questions about transparency in relation to a migration deal, amid reports of mistreatment of migrants.[{{Cite news |last1=Townsend|first1=Mark |date=23 October 2024 |title=EU refuses to publish findings of Tunisia human rights inquiry |newspaper=Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/23/eu-refuses-to-publish-findings-of-tunisia-human-rights-inquiry |access-date=24 October 2024}}]
==See also==
{{Portal|Africa}}
* [[2008 Tunisian protests]]
* [[2011–2012 Tunisian protests]]
* [[Art and politics in post-2011 Tunisia]]
* [[List of conflicts in Africa]]
* [[List of modern conflicts in North Africa]]
* [[Operation Tunisia]]
* [[Self-immolations in Tunisia]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==Further reading==
* [[Hager Ali|Ali, Hager]] (2022): Defense against small parties: electoral reforms and their impact on Tunisia's electoral system since the Arab Spring. In: ''Zeitschrift für vergleichende Politikwissenschaften'' '''16''', 483–503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12286-023-00561-z
* {{Cite book |last=Russo, Santi |year=2021|title=Fear No More, Voices from the Tunisian Revolution, Publisher = Amazon |publisher=Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US |isbn=979-8786017435 |url= https://www.amazon.com/dp/b09nrd21fr/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_W7WRMZ2KGH976XA189DD }}
* {{Cite book |last=Alexander |first=Christopher |year=2010 |title=Tunisia: Stability and Reform in the Modern Maghreb |location=New York |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-415-27421-0 }}
* Bacha, Mohamed [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1986227979 The Revolutionary Chants of CLUB AFRICAIN Ultras: Football Fan Chants that explain the Tunisian Revolution in Tunsi, Français, English, italiano]
* {{Cite book |last=Russo, Santi |year=2011 |title=Non ho piu paura, Tunisia Diario di una rivoluzione | location=Rome |publisher=Gremese |isbn=978-88-8440-690-3 }}
==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131106133120/http://egiuliani.wordpress.com/2013/11/03/tunisia-today-and-hope-for-tomorrow/ Tunisia Today and Hope for Tomorrow] reflections on the country three years after the uprising
* [https://www.ictj.org/our-work/regions-and-countries/tunisia International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), Tunisia]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110213095112/http://english.aljazeera.net//indepth/spotlight/tunisia/ Tunisia: Time of Change] collected news and commentary at ''[[Al Jazeera English]]''
* {{cite web |url=http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/middle-east-north-africa/tunisia/snapshot.aspx |title=Business Corruption in Tunisia |date=April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807082724/http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/middle-east-north-africa/tunisia/snapshot.aspx |archive-date=7 August 2016 |publisher=Business Anti-Corruption Portal}}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12210271 BBC News - Tunisian rebirth] collected news and commentary from 4 December 2012
{{Arab Spring}}
{{Tunisia topics}}
{{Post-Cold War African conflicts}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Tunisian revolution| ]]
[[Category:2010s revolutions]]
[[Category:2010 in Tunisia]]
[[Category:2010 riots]]
[[Category:2011 in Tunisian politics]]
[[Category:2011 riots]]
[[Category:Arab Spring by country|Tunisia]]
[[Category:Intifadas]]
[[Category:Nonviolent revolutions]]
[[Category:Protest-related deaths]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in Tunisia]]
[[Category:Labor disputes in Tunisia]]
[[Category:Democratization]]