Tunisian Protesters Challenge President's Grip on Power

A political drama continues to unfold in Tunisia, where thousands of demonstrators marched through the capital, Tunis, Friday demanding President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's resignation. The street protests come a day after the president sought to tamp-down the political unrest by pledging not to seek another term in office and to push through political and media reforms.

President Ben Ali's concessions appear to be a dramatic reversal of a long-standing policy of repression.

Protestors marching down the main boulevard in central Tunis shouted slogans against the president, calling him an assassin and demanding his removal. The march could not have happened 24 hours before in a country where freedom of speech has long been suppressed.

The demonstrations are the first test of President Ben Ali's pledge to loosen restrictions on the media, slash food prices and stop security forces from using firearms on demonstrators.

"As for your political requests, I understood them," Mr. Ben Ali said. "Yes, I understood them and I decided to give press freedom on all levels and will not block access to the Internet, and there will be no more scrutiny over the media. However, we have to respect our principles and behavior."
The president appeared shaken as he delivered a hastily prepared speech on television Thursday to try to stop deadly riots over food prices and high unemployment.
The unrest has at times turned deadly, with hospital officials reporting 13 new killings late Thursday. The latest deaths, not officially confirmed, add to the 23 people already reported by the government to have died since the turmoil erupted in December. Rights groups and the opposition say that number is far higher.

Mr. Ben Ali's conciliatory tone in his national address initially sparked celebrations, with one-time critics blessing the president for recognizing his mistakes.

Thousands of people poured into the streets to praise Ben Ali’s name.

But a day later, the president's history of alleged corruption caught up with him, sparking new protests. Mr. Ben Ali has ruled Tunisia for 23 years, and he and his family are accused of stealing the country's wealth for their own gain.

One protestor, Dilou Thoraya, says a promise to reform is not enough.

"He has done that under the pressure of the people," she noted. "It is too late, there are 70 dead people. While he was doing his speech, there were people dying in Kairouan. We don't have any trust anymore. The police are in charge here, the Ministry of Interior is in charge."

The unrest began in December when an unemployed university graduate set himself on fire after police confiscated his produce stand. Authorities say he was selling the goods without a permit. But the graduate’s suicide struck a chord among Tunisians frustrated by their lack of influence in the country’s long-running political leadership.

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Tunisian-Protesters-Challenge-Presidents-Grip-on-Power--113594954.html

This is an interesting turn of events. Another government seems to be on the brink. These protest are becoming even more violent. The people of Tunisia are finally rising up against that dictatorship. This is how democracy is born.

Things must change.

Now the Tunisian president has been toppled!

When will Nigerians wake up?

The silly guy has left the country.

thats a revolution.

Akhenaten:

Now the Tunisian president has been toppled!

When will Nigerians wake up?

Not to take away anything from them
Actually the Tunisians woke up late, 23 years in government? Thats crazy, at least Nigerians fought against IBB and Abacha, next stop is Egypt, Cameroon etc

@kcjazz

you mean we are not that bad like tunisia

babaearly:

@kcjazz

you mean we are not that bad like tunisia

I mean our problems are different now, at least we are not waiting for leaders to change constitutions to stay longer in power. I feel our fight is different from Tunisia and right now some young people in Nigeria are doing a lot to change the direction of the country.