Fourteenth January would be regarded as a historical day in Tunisia when 23 years old authoritarian rule of strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was pulled down by popular revolt. The president has sought refuge in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It is not certain whether the kingdom would allow his permanent stay as it may cause embarrassment for the ruling dispensation there.
Now the details of the questionable affairs of Ben Ali’s regime are gradually getting space in the international media.
The popular unrest was slowly building up in Tunisia for the last several years. While the economic conditions were deteriorating and unemployment of educated youth was causing acute resentment, the rulers were enjoying super luxurious lifestyle. Ben Ali captured power in 1987 and had been ruling with an iron fist ever since. He suppressed dissent, clamped down on opposition and kept media under strict control.
It is unfortunate that western champions of democracy and especially France, the former colonial power which had enslaved Tunis, did not feel concerned about the undemocratic things in Tunis as long as it obeyed their orders. Now finally pent up anger has torn down unpopular, corrupt and repressive regime which was given the name of “The Mafia”.
Ben Ali’s wife, Leila, a former hairdresser, was infamous for her super luxurious lifestyle, costly cars and opulent homes and was dubbed “Regent of Carthage” for she was considered to be the power behind throne. It has also been reported that the relatives of the dictator have fled with 1.5 tonnes of gold which they had amassed through illegal means, fraud and nepotism. Greater part of the corrupt family’s 3.5 billion wealth is in French banks. It is a foregone conclusion that the former colonial power would be “more than kind” to allow the dear looters the fruits of their hard-earned loot.
Most importantly, the revolt in Tunisia sounds a warning to all corrupt and authoritarian regimes in the Middle East that if they do not mend their ways they may end their days. The people are reaching the limits of their pastime as frustration, anger and bitterness has crossed all bearable limits.
The guru of western powers America should also read the writing on the wall that it cannot stem the tide of popular resentment against its policy of supporting autocratic regimes who are suppressing the Islamic and democratic urges of people.