Civil Unrest in Tunisia
Leah and Adriana
Recently, violence has erupted in Tunisia, a North African nation bordered by Algeria, Libya, and the Mediterranean Sea. Citizens have been protesting all over the country, expressing their anger over the lack of job opportunities and the dishonest and unfair way in which Tunisia is being run. The chaos officially began on December 20, when unemployed, 26-year-old university graduate, Mohammed Bouazizi, tried to commit suicide by setting himself on fire in the town of Sidi Bouzid. Bouazizi had been selling produce, which police had confiscated due to his lack of a permit. This single desperate act caused a spark that has grown into a raging bonfire over the last weeks as people protest and march for their rights and for justice. Dozens of Tunisians have been severely injured beaten, shot and killed, mostly by police who say they act violently for self-defense. But others have also committed suicide, such as Houcine Falhi, who electrocuted himself in the middle of a demonstration over unemployment. The violence has spread all over: towns such as Sidi Bouzid, Menzel Bouzaiene, al-Ragab, Miknassi, Sfax, Kairouan, and Ben Guerdane. All of the country’s schools and universities have been closed, and will remain closed until violence ceases. The protests were lead by college graduates, and were later followed by workers and young professionals. There was a curfew last Friday in the capital. No groups of people bigger than 2 were aloud outside by 5pm, and by 8pm no one was aloud outside. There was some shooting that night in several neighborhoods around the capital. The police threaten if they saw anyone after curfew they would be shot. The airports are closed and the U.K travel agents are taking out tourists from the country. The U.K, USA, and France are among the countries advising to not go to Tunisia unless necessary. Ben Ali, Tunisia’s president for over 23 years and very hated at the moment, has fled amidst the unrest, leaving the prime minister in charge. President Ben Ali is unwanted, because there is no employment in Tunisia. There are cheers and smiles because of the President leaving. People tore down any poster, or massive pictures of the President. Some even several stories high that were on Lamp post, or billboards. The Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi is planning to meet with political leaders to start a new government.
There have been shooting in the past days that have lasted up to 4 hours. A resident said her neighbors saw other armed men break through check points in civilian cars. There was recently a shooting Sunday January 16, 2011 that accrued out side the Tunisia palace. Caused by anger. The prime Minister said numerous groups of armed people have been arrested that Sunday. Leaving out how many. There have been worries on food shortages like milk, fresh fish, and bread, since you can’t go outside like normal; because there might be a shooting. Resident have been told to stay away from windows and keep curtains closed. A resident from Carthage said the saw four men in a taxi speed through a military checkpoint, going toward the Palace. Police shot at the car, but the men threw fire at them. “The coming days will show who is behind them.” Said Ghannouchi. Hoping to find out who is behind everything.
It’s very dangerous in Tunisia right now, and the best thing the residents of Tunisia should do is stay at home. We can only hope for the best.
http://www.theworld.org/2011/01/11/unrest-in-tunisia/
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20110114/twl-tunisia-see-s-unprecedented-civil-un-41f21e0.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2011/01/16/AR2011011603649.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12198106
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/15/world/africa/15tunis.html?scp=2&sq=Tunisia&st=cse
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