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Tunisians drive leader from power in mass uprising

World Jan. 15, 2011 - 12:30PM JST ( 24 )

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24 Comments

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TriumvereJan. 15, 2011 - 09:08AM JST

This has the potential to have a huge impact on the arab world.
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rajakumarJan. 15, 2011 - 10:10AM JST

Looks like ,now reform in hands of 69 year old PM, Mohammed Ghannouchi.
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mikehuntezJan. 15, 2011 - 11:26AM JST

Maybe AQ will see this as their cue to move in. Hope not though.
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proxyJan. 15, 2011 - 11:46AM JST

@Triumvere I agree. The fall of the corrupt US backed Ben Ali could be the crack that topples a series of governments across the region; an event similar the the fall of the Berlin Wall. The leaders of Egypt, Syria, Libya, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Gaza, Lebanon and Iran might be feeling the heat.

I don't think the majority of the people want to be ruled by either terrorists or corrupt western backed dictators; everyone wants to be free.
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skipthesongJan. 15, 2011 - 12:00PM JST

every Tunisian I met was real cool... and they all seemed up to date with the "real" world. Hope AQ doesn't go in and harvest themselves there.
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FoxieJan. 15, 2011 - 12:13PM JST

Power to the people. I have been several times to Tunesia and can only talk about the great hospitality I received there. I really wish all the best to the Tunesian people and admire their courage to stand up and fight.
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smithinjapanJan. 15, 2011 - 12:46PM JST

I hope this works in Tunisia's favour and someone who's an actual leader moves in quickly -- I'm sure some bad elements are champing at the bit to hold the reigns.
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cncJan. 15, 2011 - 01:33PM JST

There are other countries also needs radical moves like this, to be taken by the people. Corrupt leaders do not realize that they are sitting there because of the support of the people. I hope other leaders (like the one in Pakistan) take note and come to their senses.

I hope this works out for the people of Tunisia.
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WilliBJan. 15, 2011 - 02:31PM JST

skipthesong:

" every Tunisian I met was real cool... and they all seemed up to date with the "real" world. Hope AQ doesn't go in and harvest themselves there. "

That is because the autocratic but modern regime kept the religionists at bay. Now that the autocrat has fled, stand by and watch how another modern Arab society descends into a backward theocracy. Because the forces who call for gods law are always there. Now Abidine has fled and pandora´s box is open.
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WilliBJan. 15, 2011 - 02:35PM JST

proxy:

" I don't think the majority of the people want to be ruled by either terrorists or corrupt western backed dictators; everyone wants to be free. "

That is where you are tragically wrong. In Tunesia, like in every muslim society, the majority will always vote for more islam. And once a dictator, who preserves modernity by force, is gone, they will vote themselves into a Sharia state. Just look what happened in Iran, Iraq, Turkey etc.
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SolidariTeaJan. 15, 2011 - 03:06PM JST

Students and protesters used Facebook to organize.
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TriumvereJan. 15, 2011 - 05:01PM JST

WilliB,

radicalism does not seem to have a strong hold in Tunisia; if things go south, a military dictatorship is more likely than Islamism.
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presto345Jan. 15, 2011 - 06:00PM JST

And once a dictator, who preserves modernity by force, is gone, they will vote themselves into a Sharia state

You have a point here, but I hope this is not going to happen. That certainly won't bring any economic benefit to the people of Tunisia.
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MadvertsJan. 15, 2011 - 06:15PM JST

Tourism is Tunisia's baby. Let's hope things calm down.
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SargeJan. 15, 2011 - 06:33PM JST

"authoritarian governments that dominate the region"

Whose fault is this?
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WilliBJan. 15, 2011 - 07:31PM JST

Triumvere:

" radicalism does not seem to have a strong hold in Tunisia; if things go south, a military dictatorship is more likely than Islamism. "

Radicalism has not had a strong hold in Tunisia until now, because an autocratic regime kept it down. Take the lid off, and it comes bubbling up... everyhwere where islam is taught, including Tunisia. A military dictatorship is then one way to push it back down, like in Algeria next door.
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BadseyJan. 15, 2011 - 07:38PM JST

The people of Tunisia are a becon of light for others living in tyranny. I should expect innovations like this from the Carthage people however.
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MadvertsJan. 15, 2011 - 07:50PM JST

So you won't be converting to Islam anytime soon willi?
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BadseyJan. 15, 2011 - 08:00PM JST

Saudia Arabia is radical Islam --> that's where your forward leader was able to escape to "a puppet US state". Lots of unrest from the commoners there too.
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WilliBJan. 15, 2011 - 08:21PM JST

Badsey:

" The people of Tunisia are a becon of light for others living in tyranny. "

Tunesia did not have a "tyranny". It had an authoritarian, but modern regime. The tyranny you can admire once the islamist parties get themselves into power. Just look at Algeria next door.
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ShizukaMorleyJan. 15, 2011 - 10:18PM JST

WilliB is right IMO. Tunesia needs a re-election as soon as possible. The radicals are just waiting around the corner. Also, countries like Iran have enough money to support those radicals... and that is dangerous.
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WilliBJan. 16, 2011 - 12:01AM JST

ShizukaMorley:

That´s the problem. In an election in islamic country, the majorities tend to vote islamic parties into power, which then turn a previously modern country into another medieval theocracy. Just look at what popular elections in Iraq, Egypt, Algeria and Turkey resulted in. I doubt Tunesia is different.
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elbudamexicanoJan. 16, 2011 - 04:09AM JST

I hope and pray that peace and stability come back to Tunisia, even though I have no idea where the heck that country maybe, but from the horrible video on the news reports, their dictator sounds like a real scum bag, bastard Ben Ali.
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WilliBJan. 16, 2011 - 04:25AM JST

Shizukamorley:

" Btw, I really do think Tunesia has a chance if they have a new regime ASAP! "

It depends on the regime. If they elections and the islamic parties have enough time to mobilizes the masses via the mosques, its game over for freedom in Tunesia. The Shariah curtain will go down on yet another previously modern society.