Tunisia: Uprising anniversary January 14

Event

Demonstrations, along with a heightened security presence and associated transportation disruptions, are to be anticipated in the capital Tunis, as well as in other major urban centers, as of Monday, January 14, as the country commemorates the eighth anniversary of the 2011 uprising, which led to the ouster of former president Zine El-Abedine Ben Ali.

Protests over persisting socio-economic issues are also likely to take place, as public discontent with the state of the nation remains high since 2011.

Context

The ouster of former President Zine El-Abedine Ben Ali in 2011 marked the beginning of the Arab Spring, in which 340 people were killed.

While Tunisia has been praised as a model of democratic transition, the economic situation remains a major cause for concern among the population. The country is grappling with an inflation rate of 7.5 percent, while unemployment rates stand at more than 15 percent, with those worst affected being young university graduates.

Advice

Individuals in Tunisia are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all protests due to the risk of potential violence, and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities.