Unused to dissent, Tunisia reeling from protests (News Feature)

By Ansgar Haase Jan 7, 2011, 13:21 GMT

Tunis/Paris - Riot police firing on demonstrators, police cars ablaze and young men who commit suicide in despair over chronic unemployment - violent protests have overshadowed the start of the new year in Tunisia.

The self-immolation of an unemployed university graduate in a market place in mid-December created shock waves which continue to rock the North African country, unused to dissent of any sort.

On Friday, a wave of protests over unemployment and living costs gained momentum when teachers joined in a strike call.

Young people, in particular, are venting their dissatisfaction at having no job prospects. And many, like Mohammed Bouazizi who succumbed to his burns, have university degrees.

The government responds to the protests with a firm hand. At least two people are said to have been killed by law-enforcement authorities during the clashes, and numerous others have been wounded or injured.

In a televised address to the nation, President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali said that, while he understands the concerns of the protesters, the use of violence by an extremist minority is intolerable.

The unrest is a blow to the president. In power since 1987, Ben Ali has managed in recent years to create an image of Tunisia as a model nation in the region, and lured foreign investors. Social stability along with a highly qualified work and good infrastructure were among Tunisia's strengths.

The sandy, azure-bounded beaches adored by so many European tourists meanwhile play only a secondary role. Tourism constitutes less than 10 per cent of gross national product.

'Ben Ali knows how to handle investors,' says a diplomat in Tunis.

But the 74-year-old leader does not appear to be so charming in his dealings with his own people, most especially with dissenters.

Human rights such as freedom of speech and assembly are often disregarded, opposition figures are hindered from engaging in a fair campaign, and disagreeable journalists can find themselves in prison.

People accuse the presidential clan of self-enrichment and corruption. This is not a good mixture with unemployment running at 16 per cent.

Developments are particularly dangerous for Ben Ali because it is the educated Tunisians who are venturing onto the streets. About half of all university graduates cannot find jobs that meet their qualifications within a year of leaving school.

Experts say Tunisia needs minimum 6 per cent economic growth to give graduates decent job opportunities. But last year's growth hovered at around 4 per cent.

And the young man who immolated himself in the main square was one of those highly qualified people. Unable to find a job that met his qualifications, he was reduced to selling fruit and vegetables on the street without a licence. And after authorities repeatedly confiscated his goods, he finally saw no other way out.

So far, no international pressure has come to bear against Ben Ali. France, Tunisia's former colonial power, is not willing to step in, nor have critical voices been raised much in other nations.

'They're glad that Islamic radicals play no role, and so they remain silent,' says a political observer in Tunis.

But hope does come in the form Tunisia's efforts for preferential partnership with the European Union.

'This won't be handed over on a silver platter,' says a diplomat.

However, few young people in this country trust an authoritarian like Ben Ali to make any fundamental changes at this point.

'If I could go to Germany right now, I'd be out of here,' says Saif, a 24-year-old chemistry major in Tunis.

And that is also the feeling of many young people in neighbouring Algeria, where protesters have clashed with police in recent days. In that country, however, the major reason is rising prices for food staples such as olive oil and sugar.

But what both countries share in common is a generation of young people who see no future ahead for themselves.

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