I'm surprised after looking some around here on WAB there seems to be little discussion about the overthrow of the long-time President of Tunisia, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Who was forced to resign from his office and go into exile after economic problems in the country like unemployment and the general economic atmosphere. Came to a head ,when an unemployed university graduate who was harassed by police for an unlicensed fruit cart he was running, set himself on fire to protest his plight.
The act which eventually caused said university graduate's death stirred up much more attention about lingering economic problems and their social effects, particular amongst younger Tunisians led them to take their anger out on the government, especially their President who was viewed by many as corrupt and ineffective.
Since then however, similar disturbances aimed at ruling governments have occurred neighboring Algeria over food prices, and in Libya over a mixture of food and housing issues in certain regions. These riots and protests in these two countries remain isolated for now, however in Algeria they seem to be gradually increasing in intensity and anger.
So any thoughts on the events in Tunisia, as well as elsewhere in North Africa?
The act which eventually caused said university graduate's death stirred up much more attention about lingering economic problems and their social effects, particular amongst younger Tunisians led them to take their anger out on the government, especially their President who was viewed by many as corrupt and ineffective.
Since then however, similar disturbances aimed at ruling governments have occurred neighboring Algeria over food prices, and in Libya over a mixture of food and housing issues in certain regions. These riots and protests in these two countries remain isolated for now, however in Algeria they seem to be gradually increasing in intensity and anger.
So any thoughts on the events in Tunisia, as well as elsewhere in North Africa?
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