Tunisia: Confronting Social and Economic Challenges
Mounting complaints and demonstrations are in danger of swamping the Tunisian interim government .
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Tunisia-Confron...
A report by the International Crisis Group in Belgium acknowledges that the interim government has established veneer of order and normality.
Three challenges stand out; unemployment, particularly graduates; regional inequalities and corruption.
This was the toxic mix which caused the revolution.The Ennhada government recognises the problems but has been far too slow in dealing with them. The ICG report urges action to remove bureacratic constraints on job
creation.
Whilst the situation is urgent for graduates more effective action needs to be taken for workers in rundown industrial areas. The neglect was ignored by the previous regime and resent ment has been festering for a very longtime .The Ennhada government now has little time to put remedial action in motion.
The historical pattern of the Weimar republic in the 1930's whilst not exact does show how week democracy's can be in the face of an international crisis and economic disorder at home.The violence of minorities like the Salafists who offer a seemingly easysolution supported by a claimed religious sanction is very dangerous for the nascent Tunisian democracy and those desparate workers in deprive areas could easily join with the Salafist demonstrations against authority.
The government has to be more effective in dealing with the Salafists otehrwise its authority could become more endangered.The sympathy for those who were imprisoned under Ben Ali as were many of the new government leaders, such as Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, is understandable.
If the security of the state is in question it will have to act, otherwise a fanatical and violent minority using force could gain power taking advantage of unemployment and political chaos.
Opposition parties are not strong enough to provide an alternative government so the political infrastructure is weak. The Ennhada party conference is due in July. Rachid Ghannouchi the party chief may use this moment as opportunity to find a more politically stable solution.
Ennhada remains the main party in the political spectrum and the solution may have to come from within its ranks.
Tunisia has international support, Turkey has agreed a loan of 100 million US dollars, America and Qatar have provided funding so has the EIB abd the EBRD and the African Development Bank, this is an expression of faith in the new Tunisia.
The ICG report recommends measures to control and ameliorate unemployment and dealing with the neglected regions which is the root cause of Tunisia's malaise.
For Tunisia to control the evolution of its new society will need firm action and a reformed police force which has the full backing of the government and a new mandate. A commission to investigate violent incidents as the ICG report suggests will need real power to act decisively.
The consitution needs to be written quickly and not subject to endless debate.
Three challenges stand out; unemployment, particularly graduates; regional inequalities and corruption.
This was the toxic mix which caused the revolution.The Ennhada government recognises the problems but has been far too slow in dealing with them. The ICG report urges action to remove bureacratic constraints on job
creation.
Whilst the situation is urgent for graduates more effective action needs to be taken for workers in rundown industrial areas. The neglect was ignored by the previous regime and resent ment has been festering for a very longtime .The Ennhada government now has little time to put remedial action in motion.
The historical pattern of the Weimar republic in the 1930's whilst not exact does show how week democracy's can be in the face of an international crisis and economic disorder at home.The violence of minorities like the Salafists who offer a seemingly easysolution supported by a claimed religious sanction is very dangerous for the nascent Tunisian democracy and those desparate workers in deprive areas could easily join with the Salafist demonstrations against authority.
The government has to be more effective in dealing with the Salafists otehrwise its authority could become more endangered.The sympathy for those who were imprisoned under Ben Ali as were many of the new government leaders, such as Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, is understandable.
If the security of the state is in question it will have to act, otherwise a fanatical and violent minority using force could gain power taking advantage of unemployment and political chaos.
Opposition parties are not strong enough to provide an alternative government so the political infrastructure is weak. The Ennhada party conference is due in July. Rachid Ghannouchi the party chief may use this moment as opportunity to find a more politically stable solution.
Ennhada remains the main party in the political spectrum and the solution may have to come from within its ranks.
Tunisia has international support, Turkey has agreed a loan of 100 million US dollars, America and Qatar have provided funding so has the EIB abd the EBRD and the African Development Bank, this is an expression of faith in the new Tunisia.
The ICG report recommends measures to control and ameliorate unemployment and dealing with the neglected regions which is the root cause of Tunisia's malaise.
For Tunisia to control the evolution of its new society will need firm action and a reformed police force which has the full backing of the government and a new mandate. A commission to investigate violent incidents as the ICG report suggests will need real power to act decisively.
The consitution needs to be written quickly and not subject to endless debate.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Tunisia-Confron...