Over the past week, Tunisia has experienced a surge in violent protests, the likes of which have not been since the 2011 revolution, leading the government to declare a countrywide curfew from 8pm to 5am.
The events have stirred confusion over the (...)
After Tunisia's successful completion of the political transition process in 2014, 2015 was expected to usher in economic and social reforms that w ould promote the aspirations for human dignity and social justice that had originally fired the 2011 (...)
Habib Essid, Tunisia's prime minister-designate, spent most of last week retracing his steps as his proposals for the country's new government were shot down even before they went for a vote of confidence in parliament.
When he finally hit upon a (...)
The race for the Tunisian presidential elections has begun, with 70 candidates filing their applications with the Tunisian Electoral Commission and up to 10 more declaring their intention to follow suit. The elections are slated for 23 November.
For (...)
There are fewer than 50 days left before Tunisians head to the polls in the country's second elections since the 2011 Revolution, and its first combined legislative and presidential elections.
In quick succession, voters will be asked to elect a (...)
Tunisian politicians taking part in the country's national dialogue have at last made up their minds to hold parliamentary elections before presidential ones, with 12 parties voting to hold the parliamentary elections first and six parties voting (...)
Monday, 27 January 2014, was a historic day for Tunisia since it was the day on which the country's new constitution was ratified after it had been approved by 200 votes in the constituent assembly. Of the 216 members present for the vote, four (...)
All of a sudden, Tunisia seems abuzz with activity on all fronts. In one week or so, Ali Larayedh has resigned as prime minister to be replaced by Mehdi Gomaa who is expected to form a new government within the next two weeks.
The ratification of (...)
Tunisians are preparing to commemorate the third anniversary of the overthrow of the corrupt dictatorship of former president Zein Al-Abidine bin Ali, in spite of the hardships and dangerous turns of events since then.
This year's celebrations, (...)
'I am a violent man who has learned not to be violent and regrets his violence'
– John Lennon
Hardly a week now goes by in Tunisia without some form of violence. A protest gone awry, an assassination, an exchange of gunfire, a confiscation of a (...)
Though floundering for three months in political discord, Tunisians have failed to agree on a leader to rescue the so-called national dialogue launched last month after two missed deadlines. “We have decided to suspend the national dialogue until (...)
In Tunisia, 25 July marks the anniversary of the abolition of the monarchy and the declaration of the first republic in 1957. Normally, it is a day for patriotic celebration and pride. However, this year the commemoration was overshadowed by (...)
What lies behind Tunisia's recently announced commitment to transitional justice, asks Lassaad Ben Ahmed
Tunisia's top three political figures, Mustafa bin Jaafar, speaker of the constituent assembly, Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali and President (...)
Violent clashes broke out in the Tunisian capital earlier this week on the anniversary of last year's revolution, writes Lassaad Ben Ahmed in Tunis
Violent clashes broke out between the security forces and protesters on Habib Bourguiba Avenue in (...)
Tunisia is feeling its way between demands for pluralism and for respect for the country's deep-rooted Arab-Islamic identity, writes Lassaad Ben Ahmed in Tunis
While Tunisian audiences may have arrived en masse to hear the sermons of visiting (...)
Tunisia's constitutional assembly has begun drafting the country's new constitution amid fears over the stability of the Nahda-led government, writes Lassaad Ben Ahmed in Tunis
On 13 February, after a 100-day wait, the Tunisian constitutional (...)
Tunisians are starting 2012 with a new government that has no links to the past or its figureheads; for many this is an achievement in itself.
The euphoria of the "Arab Spring" began in Tunisia, with a peddler desperate to support his mother, uncle (...)
Tunisian fruit-seller Mohamed Bouazizi burned himself to death one year ago in a catalytic event that gave rise to the Arab revolutions, writes Lassaad Ben Ahmed from Tunis
One year after the catalytic event that led to the ousting of Tunisian (...)
Tunisia's new Islamist-leftist coalition government is well placed to achieve stability in the country, writes Lassaad Ben Ahmed from Tunis
Nearly a month after the country's first free and democratic elections, the contours of the new political map (...)
Tunisia once again provides inspiration to the Arab world with its historic elections, reports Lassaad Ben Ahmed in Tunis
The interim phase in Tunisia has ended after the first free multi-party elections in the country's history were held, and the (...)