JASMINE REVOLUTION
‘The people want to bring down the regime’
Though ‘literally’ the Jasmine Revolution refers to the popular uprising in Tunisia, the revolution also sparked an ensuing domino effect across the entire Arab World and hence we will be covering upon the revolution as a whole.
Let’s first describe the background scenario and demands of the nations involved majorly in the revolution, like: Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. Though other nations did experience changes in their political system, but here I will mostly be focussing on these three, and especially the first two.
EGYPT: There were heat waves of the demographics of state related to: unemployment, foreign policy, technology, legitimacy, torture, corruption, etc cultivating amongst people from long time. The grievances of the protesters hence focussed on the legal and political issues including:
· police brutality - increase in the number of prosecutions against torture and abuse by police authorities
· state of emergency laws - i.e. government had the right to imprison individuals for any period of time, and for virtually no reason, thus keeping them in prisons without trials for any period – making it anti-democratic, autocratic rule
· lack of free elections and freedom of speech - government controlled the licensing and distribution of all papers in Egypt, and had rights for penalizing any reporter, blogger, etc. with a fine of 20,000 pounds ($3,650) and up to five years in prison under a title of threat to “public safety and national security”
· uncontrollable corruption - in 2010, transparency index of Egypt had reached 3.1, on a scale where 0 refers to highly corrupt and 10 refers to very clean
· economic issues including high unemployment - new people entering the job force at only about 4% a year
· food price inflation and low minimum wages - 40% of population under US$2/day
Hence, the primary demand of protesters was the end of the Hosni Mubarak regime (the autocratic ruler since last 30 years). For further reasons refer to the following wikileaks cables revealing the important background on Egyptian Uprising:
TUNISIA: The movement here and everywhere was sparked off by the self-immolation of vegetable vendor Mohamed Bouazizi, when he was humiliated by a woman constable on December 17, on his revolting for non-payment of bribe for his shop. Moreover, the movement grew over the issues of unemployment, food inflation, corruption, lack of freedom of speech and poor living conditions (and overflowed from here to Egypt where these issues had been raging). Though the revolution was driven by flesh and blood and conditions on the ground, and not because WikiLeaks ‘revealed’ to Tunisians the real face of a government they’d lived with their whole lives. Still, the latter played a major role in confirming the fact that President Ben Ali’s family was an authoritarian despot and supremely corrupt. The details noted in the cables — for example, the fact that the first lady of the nation made massive profits off a private school stirred things up. Leila Ben Ali, the president’s wife, had been a hated figure in Tunisia for years, and was well-known for taking the presidential jet to France for extravagant shopping trips, overlooking the hard conditions and needs of the citizens.
Hence demand of protesters included that no former allies of Ben Ali should remain in the government. Even ‘Mohamed Ghannouchi’, who had been a long-standing figure (minister of finance) in the Tunisian government, and didn’t have any case against him and was not even tainted by any lurid tales of corruption, etc. was not accepted as the new president by the people. This may be because he lost his respect amongst Tunisians. People called him 'Mr. Oui Oui' because he's always said ‘yes’ to Ben Ali. People (protesters) want a complete cabinet reshuffle now.
LIBYA: An outsider might question, what is the problem with Libya? Its front projected statistics look so perfect. By 2010, Libya had the highest GDP per capita, Education Index, and Human Development Index in Africa as well as some of the best health indicators in the continent. But trying to explore a slight more, I found that it was mostly just the creamy layer on the top, which has made these statistics. Libya enjoys large natural resources, but the high gross domestic product has been concentrated on Gaddafi's family and his elites, who have amassed vast fortunes. Most of the business enterprises have been controlled by Gaddafi and his family. Meanwhile, a large section of the population lives in poverty. Actually, in one of the worst situations in the eastern parts of the country. Some further surveys (in 2010) say: An estimated 20.74% of Libyan citizens were unemployed, and about one-third lived below the national poverty line. More than 16% of families had none of its members earning a stable income, while 43.3% had just one. Despite one of the highest unemployment rates in the region, there was a consistent labour shortage with over a million migrant workers present on the market. Libya's corruption perception index in 2010 was 2.2!! The government was such that it executed dissidents through public hangings and mutilations and rebroadcast them on state television channels. In 2011, Libya's press was rated as the most censored in the Middle East and North Africa.
A leaked diplomatic cable described Libyan economy as "a kleptocracy in which the government — either the al-Gaddafi family itself or its close political allies — has a direct stake in anything worth buying, selling or owning". Muammar/Colonel Gaddafi has been the autocratic ruler in Libya since 1969. He is known to have started several wars, and indulges most of the Nation’s revenues on arms purchases and on sponsoring his political projects abroad. His relatives adopted lavish lifestyles, including luxurious homes, Hollywood film investments and private parties with American pop stars.
Primary concern of people was to remove Gaddafi rule somehow. After which around 100 Libyan judge, lawyers and state prosecutors have drew up a list of demands in response to Gaddafi’s crackdown. The demands were as follows:
• Immediate halt of the bloodshed and attacks on Libyan citizens
• Immediate launch of a transparent independent inquiry to identify those responsible for the violence and death.
• Assurance must be given that the rule of law is to proceed unhindered and no one is above its execution.
• Commencement of reforms of civil liberties and society along with the creation of a national constitution.
As a result of people’s revolts, the events that happened across Tunisia, Egypt, and elsewhere in northern Africa and Middle East were very fast-paced during the last couple of months of the revolution, hence can be confusing and hard to follow. So, below is the basic outline of what all has happened (and when):
December 17, 2010:
· TUNISIA -- Mohamed Bouazizi set fire to himself in the central Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid to protest police confiscation of his vegetable cart. His act led to local demonstrations in support.
January 4, 2011:
· TUNISIA -- Bouazizi died of his burns, after which his funeral added momentum to protests against unemployment and repression. The protests spread to other parts of the country.
January 14, 2011:
· TUNISIA -- After days of clashes in which dozens are killed and having made empty promises of reforms and elections, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali flee to Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi stayed, with the ruling party’s parliamentary speaker as interim president.
January 16, 2011:
· REGIONAL -- Speculation increases that, inspired by what happened in Tunisia, other countries in the region—including Algeria, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt—will face similar opposition protests.
· EGYPT -- Thousands of protesters streamed into the streets of Cairo chanting “Ben Ali, tell Mubarak a plane is waiting for him too,” referring to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
January 17, 2011:
· TUNISIA -- Ghannouchi appointed opposition figures to a new national unity coalition and said he will free political prisoners.
- EGYPT -- At least two men set themselves on fire, echoing Bouazizi’s December 17 protest in Tunisia.
January 18, 2011:
· TUNISIA -- Some opposition figures quit the cabinet and demanded the removal of former Ben Ali loyalists. Protesters denounced the "sham."
- EGYPT -- Egyptian former United Nations nuclear weapons chief, Mohamed ElBaradei warned in an interview with the Guardian newspaper of a “Tunisia-style explosion” in Egypt.
January 19, 2011:
· TUNISIA -- After the first cabinet meeting, the government offered amnesty to all political groups.
January 21, 2011:
· TUNISIA -- After a day of protests against the old guard's presence in the new cabinet, Ghannouchi promised to retire as soon as elections are held.
January 20, 2011:
· EGYPT -- An Egyptian Facebook group called for street protests on January 25. Additional self-immolations take place.
January 22 , 2011:
· TUNISIA -- Protesters again demanded that Ghannouchi and other Ben Ali protégés go away. Policemen, once the bulwark of Ben Ali's rule, demonstrated in Tunis, saying they too were victims.
January 23, 2011:
· EGYPT -- Younger members of Egypt’s opposition Muslim Brotherhood indicated that they would participate in the January 25 protests (The "Day of Revolt").
January 24, 2011:
· TUNISIA -- Politicians began negotiations on the creation of a council to oversee the interim government, whose task was to protect the "Jasmine" revolution that toppled Ben Ali.
January 26, 2011:
· TUNISIA -- Tunisia asked Interpol to help arrest Ben Ali and his family so they could be tried for theft and currency offences.
Also, “Shutting down The Internet and Mobile Services” took place.
January 27,2011:
· EGYPT -- ElBaradei returned to Egypt from his home in Vienna calling on Mubarak to quit.
January 28, 2011:
· EGYPT -- The "Friday of Anger" protests began.
ElBaradei, who was later placed under house arrest, and his supporters were attacked by security forces after Friday prayers.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged both the Egyptian government and protesters to show restraint.
The protesters ignored a government-imposed curfew.
The government cut Internet connections in the country.
Late in the day, Mubarak announced he would fire his government and bring on a new Cabinet to try to meet the nation's cry for change. Following Mubarak's announcement, President Obama spoke with Mubarak on the phone and delivered his own statement, calling for protesters and the government to refrain from violence and on Mubarak to keep his promises of reform.
January 29, 2011:
· EGYPT -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak named intelligence chief Omar Suleiman vice president of Egypt. Suleiman was the first person appointed to the position since Mubarak took office in 1981. Suleiman had long been considered a likely successor to Mubarak, according to profiles in The Atlantic, Foreign Policy and The Los Angeles Times.
January 30, 2011:
· EGYPT – Egyptian opposition leader Mohamed ElBadarei, arrived at center of the political unrest in Cairo. He said on American television news shows that President Obama should hasten calls for President Hosni Mubarak to step down, saying the 30-year Egyptian leader possesses no credibility as a democratic reformer.
In Washington, D.C., Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton insisted American interests jibe with the protesters calling for new leadership and further decoupled the Obama administration from Mubarak. Clinton stopped short of advocating that Mubarak relinquish power but did call for “an orderly transition to meet the democratic and economic needs of the people.”
January 31, 2011:
· EGYPT -- The State Department demanded the release of six detained Al-Jazeera journalists who were arrested by Egyptian authorities. Demands said Egypt must be open and the hence the reporters released.
The Muslim Brotherhood declared its "total rejection of the new cabinet" that was sworn.
New Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman said on state television late Monday that he had been authorized to start talking with the opposition to work out constitutional and political reforms for the nation.
Also, the Egyptian military announced that it will not use force during the called for February 1 "march of millions" in Cairo.
February 1, 2011:
· EGYPT -- On Egyptian national television, President Hosni Mubarak announced that he will not seek another term as president, but will stay on until elections are held.
Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians poured into the streets of Cairo demanding an end to Murbarak's presidency.
February 2, 2011:
· EGYPT -- "Battle of the Camel".
A least one person was killed and 403 people were injured during clashes between pro- and anti-government crowds in Ciaro and Alexandria.
February 3, 2011:
· EGYPT -- Newly appointed Vice President Omar Suleiman told Egyptians in a nationwide television address that the protesters' demands are "legitimate" and that he has set up a "road map" to implement those demands.
February 5, 2011:
· EGYPT -- The leadership of the country's ruling National Democratic Party resgined.
February 6, 2011:
· EGYPT -- After talks between opposition groups and government officials, Muslim Brotherhood representatives said there were no substantive concessions.
February 8, 2011:
· EGYPT -- Google executive Wael Ghonim, who helped spark the nation's protest movement, was freed by Egyptian security forces after several days of detention.
February 9, 2011:
· EGYPT -- As many parts of Cairo began to return to normal, thousands of workers in the city joined protesters, threatening the start of a large, general strike.
February 10, 2011:
· EGYPT -- Despite early reports indicating that President Hosni Mubarak would step down with Vice President Omar Suleiman taking over as president, Mubarak announced on state television that he was going to transfer power to Suleiman, but stay on as president.
February 11, 2011:
· EGYPT -- The "Friday of Departure".
President Hosni Mubarak has "decided to step down as president of Egypt, and has assigned the higher council of the armed forces to run the affairs of the country. May Allah be our guide," Vice President Suleiman said to crowds erupting in cheers.
This was the course of action taken during the whole revolution with the net outcomes as:
(Current Status of protests: Egypt and Libya – ongoing ;
Tunisia – subdued since March 2011)
EGYPT:
ü Ousting of President Mubarak and Prime Ministers Nazif and Shafik
ü Assumption of power by the Armed Forces
ü Suspension of the Constitution, dissolution of the Parliament
ü Disbanding of State Security Investigations Service
ü Dissolution of the NDP, the former ruling party of Egypt and transfer of its assets to the state
ü Prosecution of Mubarak, his family and his former ministers.
TUNISIA:
ü Ousting of President Ben Ali and Prime Minister Ghannouchi
ü Dissolution of the political police
ü Dissolution of the RCD, the former ruling party of Tunisia and liquidation of its assets
ü Release of political prisoners
ü Elections to a Constituent Assembly on 23 October 2011
LIBYA:
ü Overthrow of Gaddafi; Gaddafi's whereabouts are currently unknown
ü Opposition forces seize control of numerous Libyan cities, including the capital, Tripoli.
ü Formation of the National Transitional Council
ü UN-mandated NATO, Jordanian, Qatari, Swedish, and Emirati military intervention
Now, we know all what happened, reasons and outcomes.
In particular in my blog, I would like to focus upon an important area of how the cyber world affected these protests:
“No AK47’s, or MACHETE’s were the weapons of the revolution. FACEBOOK and TWITTER acted as the protestant’s arms.”
In itself, Social media was not responsible for the revolution. But what it did do was enable the world to closely follow the flow of thoughts of those involved at a level never before seen – thoughts about gender, equality and rights being aired even to the most distant rural districts of the civilian’s motherland.
The cyberspace has often been compared to a rhizome, with no definite beginning or end, and grows in all directions. The major threat that it poses to the government is its availability to all, and especially to the lower income strata. These are the ones who are the most frustrated (against the system) ones from within against the government, and are hence easily mouldable for mass uprising.
Hence, the CMC (Cyber Media Communication) was used as a site and form of resistance.
Ø TUNISIA:
Hactivist group Anonymous (tagged on Twitter as #optunisia) and Tunisian activists called for an end to government censorship.
With unrest allegedly the worst in the country in a decade - officials were trying to do their best to ensure the public doesn't know what's going on. They pulled the usual stunts: arrested journalists, censored opposition newspapers, denounced Al Jazeera and obstructed reports and broadcasts, report members of the IFEX Tunisia Monitoring Group (IFEX-TMG) and other IFEX members. But this time, the authorities practising repressive government censorship program run by the state’s one ISP – the Tunisia Internet Agency had to go even one more step further – tracking information to locate bloggers and deleting their accounts and networks, modifying web pages on the fly to steal usernames and passwords for sites such as Facebook, Google and Yahoo!”, and searching related reporters and political activists.
This denial of access to information, the right to free expression and the right to freedom of assembly restrictions played a key role in raising tensions in the nation.
On January 6, Al-Jazeera published an excellent report entitled “Tunisia’s Bitter Cyberwar” that documents the government’s use of spear phishing and other hacking tactics to identify and silence dissidents and journalists. This included hacking and deleting information at Gmail accounts and private Facebook accounts.
The one social media outlet that the Tunisian government could not impede access to was ‘Twitter’, since it can be accessed through mobile clients rather than through a website.
Ø EGYPT :
In Egypt, where the mosque has traditionally been the only outlet for venting political frustration, Facebook had become an important platform for dissent that routinely clampdown on liberal activists.
Literally people were choosing their topics and shouting it out in groups/communities.
For Example:
· On Twitter, a revolution goes under the name of #Egypt #Jan25. Where, the women speak their minds with no one to censor what they say. Their aim is simply to get hold of what they are worthy of, out in the real world. A quote here for instance was:
‘Egyptian women have to fight every day for every single right - firstly, rights over their own body; then, religious equality; and finally, political representation.’
· ElBaradei was quoted in an Australian daily newspaper, from his Facebook comment, as saying that change would be inevitable in Egypt:
“The timing only depends on when people will be able to throw off this culture of fear that the regime has created”.
ElBaradei and Omar Afifi are the two primary figures who took advantage of the Internet to communicate and disseminate information.
Afifi released a series of detailed YouTube videos instructing Egyptians on techniques for conducting their own revolution. He provided numerous details and specified the exact day to revolt, where protesters should gather, and what they should wear. Most importantly, his instructional videos emphasized the idea of peaceful protest
A major advantage of social media in the Egyptian revolution was its capacity for swiftly exchanging and disseminating information to millions of people inside and outside of Egypt, making protestors act as citizen journalists.
Starting with the state of a popular uprising, hanging in a balance and unclear whether the country will be able to draw a line under the past or not?
I should say ‘Tunisia's Jasmine revolution: A flower that could be crushed’, turned out with positive results for itself as well as the whole Arab World, at least until now!
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