Unrest Returns to Tunisia, Birthplace of the Arab Spring New protests reflect frustration over economic woes; ‘People’s hope is hitting a wall’ By Jared Malsin and Hassan Morajea
https://www.wsj.com/articles/unrest-returns-to-tunisia-birthplace-of-the-arab-spring-1516789801
SAKIET SIDI YOUSSEF, Tunisia—More than seven years ago, a Tunisian fruit vendor set himself on fire and set in motion a wave of revolution that ousted authoritarian leaders across the Arab world and helped trigger three civil wars.
Now increasing numbers of young Tunisians are again taking to the streets, protesting rising prices and a new government budget that increased taxes on basic goods. The protests reflect deep public frustration over the country’s economic woes, and activists say at least some people were compelled to take part after hearing about the suicide of an unemployed repairman.
The 2011 uprising sparked the Arab Spring and resulted in broader freedom of expression and democratic elections in Tunisia. But the revolution hasn’t produced prosperity or dismantled the police state set up under former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who was ousted in the rebellion.
The repairman, Radwan Abbasi, lived in a tiny concrete home with his mother in this town near the Algerian border. He had searched for work for years, and came home angry on Jan. 5 after visiting a local employment office, his mother said. The next morning, he rose at dawn, bought bread and made coffee, and was later found hung from a tree at an intersection near his home, his mother and neighbors said. CONTINUE AT SITE
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