During the Arab spring of 2011, Tunisia was the first to oust its dictator, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. While other Arab counties fell into violence and renewed authoritarianism, Tunisia remained on a peaceful democratic path. In 2014 the state held free and fair general and presidential elections and adopted a relatively liberal constitution.
Now, however, a rift in the dominant political party is threatening to destabilize the government, which was already struggling to get the economy off of the ground. Corruption, red tape, and two big terrorist attacks on tourists claimed by ISIS have made it difficult. Additionally, the Tunisian army has been fighting Islamist militants along its border with Algeria.
Nidaa Tounes, the leading political party, is made up of leftists, liberals, conservatives, trade unionists, and businessmen. They united under Nidaa Tounes and the leadership of Mr Essebsi to oppose Nahda, a moderate Islamist party that led the government from late 2011 to early 2014. There is no unifying ideology, political objectives, socioeconomic vision. There is also a power struggle between rival factions within the party, as one wing believes that Essebsi, the leader of the other wing, is trying to establish a family dynasty.
The government has done little to reform the inefficient economy, which still favors elites. The public sector is too large and continues to grow, and corruption is worse. Additionally, there is little development in the interior of the country despite promised aid from the United States. The lack of economic progress makes securing Tunisia even more difficult. It is believed that thousands of Tunisians have joined ISIS, while others are joining Islamic militants in the mountains in the western part of the country. There is fear that the security sector will attempt a power grab as the jihadist threat worsens.
http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21678721-rift-ruling-party-may-be-least-tunisias-problems-tunisia-confronts
4 comments:
It would be tremendously impactful if Tunisia could remain on track. The country instituted some great reforms and I think it would be the best thing to happen to the region looking forward. Economic freedom and prosperity will serve as the cornerstone.
Tunisia is considered to be one of the more secular Middle Eastern countries. However, I think because the main political party is so weak, ISIS might be able to step in and attract those who crave some stability. Unfortunately, I don't foresee the government being able to straighten itself out.
ISIS is gaining momentum and they are attracting more people every day. They will continue to terrorise around the world. They must be stopped but that will cost plenty of military tact and money that many countries do not have. Tunisia certainly does not have the money to fight off ISIS because the leading political party is at war with another political party, they are spread thin. And the economy being pushed aside due to ISIS and the rift in the political sector. There needs to be a set political power who can make all the right decisions for the good of the people, and make the economy a more important sector in the government, perhaps focus on production and outputs more to get finances flowing better.
I think this article sheds light on how difficult and complex the issue of security across country borders, regions, and the world especially when talking about terrorism like ISIS really is. It is necessary to understand the political atmosphere in the North African region as ISIS's influence continues to spread and acknowledge how terrorism can be spread due to actions that western political powers take. This should definitely be considered as the world deals with the aftermath of the Paris attacks.
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