Chaos in Tunisia worrying Arab world
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TUNISIA, NORTH AFRICA – The collapse of the autocratic government, led by Zine El Abidine Ben Ali for 23 years, is beginning make waves in other Arab countries. Four weeks of riots over food prices, corruption and unemployment incensed a young man. Arabs everywhere identified with Mohamed Bouazizi. When the 26-year-old Tunisian graduate – despairing of getting a decent job and abused by the police – set fire to himself in a public square, his story resonated far beyond his provincial town. When he later died of his injuries, he became both a symbol and a martyr.
Internet users in Tunisia and neighboring countries hailed the sudden departure of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, he is reported to have fled to Saudi Arabia. Tunisians used Facebook and YouTube to keep each other abreast of developments, including looting and prison break-outs on the day after Mr Ben Ali went into exile.
In neighboring countries, especially Egypt, web users hailed the ”Tunisian uprising” and said they hoped that “the same happens at home”.
Several Egyptian bloggers expressed solidarity with Tunisians people and hoped that Egypt “might come next”. Blogger Bint Masriyah on 14 January posted a picture of the Tunisian flag and commented: “Tunisia: we are proud of your people; may the same happen to us.”
A Moroccan online paper, anamaghrebweb, posted a video on YouTube showing what was said to be a solidarity protest in Morocco.
Algeriansunited1, a YouTube user who had previously posted videos of Algerian unrest, posted a message which reads: “Congratulations to the Tunisian people”.
Many international and Tunisian Facebook users have changed their profile images to that of the red Tunisian flag, in solidarity with the protesters.
Egyptian supporters of Tunisians, the sign says
“Revolution in Tunisia, tomorrow in Egypt”
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What are the chances that we’ll leave them alone ? Somewhere between none and fat. Just like in Latin America, we don’t allow the “threat of a good example” to poison our control.
One interesting thing, reportedly the army is protecting
demonstrators from the 180,000 man security police forces.Prior to fleeing the country, the head of the armed forces was reportedly sacked for deploying the army only to protect govt buildings and refusing to give orders for troops to fire on demonstrators.
I can’t see us being involved any other way but in a subversive manner, which may be happening right now.
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You just can’t stifle all technology as they are finding out in these repressed nations. Interesting article.