Tunisia: A Political Coexistence Infected by Covid, Economy
Since its uprising of 2011 Tunisia has distinguished itself with three features: No military intervention in politics; a surprising coexistence between Islamists and secularists; and a constant search for an authentic identity. The recent steps taken by Tunisian president Kais Saied, freezing parliament, sacking his prime minister, imposing a night-time curfew and banning the gathering of more than 3 persons day-time, are a real test for the democracy that Tunisia has successfully committed itself to in the past decade. But let’s first have a look at my observations when I visited the country as they may provide a useful background for the discussion.
My Sunglasses
I left behind my expensive sunglasses at a café downtown in the Tunisian Capital City and came back two hours later day-time to find them intact at the reception desk. The café was crowded with young Tunisians wearing American-style shorts that go below the knee. This is the westernized generation that are fashion-conscious but would not take abandoned sunglasses on a table.
The Shortest Road to Heavens
I took a taxicab and the driver was constantly and loudly reciting the Quran while driving so fast and erratically that I thought he was sending me to heavens the shortest way. He was bearded and dressed in a traditional Islamic garb with a cap on his head and the speed he was reciting the Quran competed with the speed of car. He represented the other segment of the young Tunisian generation who are almost blindly religious.
No Identity
I met a hotel front man who spoke to me in my own Egyptian dialect. He told me he spoke French, Tunisian Arabic, the Amazight language and the Egyptian dialect. But most importantly he lacked a sense of identity. He did not know who he was. He represented a segment of a young generation that grew up with a split identity. He held a college degree but with no jobs available he accepted to work as a hotel front worker. I thought of Mohamed Bouazizi who set himself on fire and ignited the 2011 uprising that toppled former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Bouazizi was reported to have held a college degree (his sister denied that) but had to sell produce as a street vendor when a police woman harassed him for not having a permit. She confiscated his scales and the governor refused to listen to his complaint. As he set himself on fire in the middle of traffic Bouazizi shouted: How can I make a living? His sister claimed that he did not have enough money to bribe the police, a familiar practice in many Middle East countries. Bouazizi and the hotel worker represented the economic crisis still gripping the country.
Free Pizza
A middle-aged pizza worker declined to take money from me when I placed a pizza order at his shop. He looked at me and said.” You can hide your identity behind your dark sunglasses but I know who you are. You are family. I see you on TV every evening.” At the time I filed daily news reports for the Tunisian official TV channel from Washington. He insisted I get my pizza free. The pizza man represented the gratitude and generosity of the Tunisian people.
With that portray of the Tunisian society as a background we can proceed to look at what some of the events in the country mean.
The Covid-19 Assault
Some 180,000 Tunisians lost their lives to the pandemic. The population is a little over 11 million. Although the country received help from the UAE and others the fiscal crisis is crushing with a huge debt and the fired prime minister was in talks with the International Monetary Fund for more help. It is important to note that the economic crisis in Tunisia has led many young men to join ISIL fighting in the far east portion of the Middle East. They are fighting not only for religious and ideological reasons but mainly for money. Give them jobs and help them have families they will stay home even as they may drive their taxicabs erratically.
Fragmented Tunisia
The fragmented society in Tunisia is why we have a fragmented parliament. Ennahda Party, the Islamist party does not have absolute majority in the House of Representatives but does hold the largest number of seats in parliament. Ennahda had a role in successive governments since the Tunisian Spring in 2011. Unlike other countries in the region that is proof that secularists and Islamists know how to work together in Tunisia.
A Constitution Unfulfilled
President Saied may have the constitutional powers to dismiss his prime minister even though nominated by elected members of the legislature. But the same constitution calls for forming a Judicial panel to resolve disputes between different branches of the government. That panel has never materialized. President Saied further commanded the military to block the parliament building and the security forces to close down media offices. The military’s involvement in politics sets a dangerous precedence in a society known for its peacefulness and sense of gratitude.
Can the U.S. Help?
Washington offers Tunisia about $330 million a year and gave Tunis $1.5 billion since the 2010/2011 Bouazizi uprising. Most of the aid is focused on promoting the private sector. But with the Covid onslaught the U.S. could send more vaccines and more money. It can urge the IMF to act quickly. Democracy dies in the dark. It dies also in hunger. Read More By The Author
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Newslooks.com
