Sunday, January 16, 2011

Overthrow the regime: power struggle over the future of Tunisia

Tunisia's dictator has fled, now many people hope for greater freedom and democratic reforms. But the interim head of state is considered to be a follower of the old despot. Do the elites to reform the country - or just replace an authoritarian ruler through the next? Tunis - appeals from around the world reach Tunis: Chancellor Angela Merkel called for a political renewal, French President Nicolas Sarkozy calls for free elections as soon as possible, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon called for a "democratic and peaceful" solution to.


After fleeing the authoritarian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali Tunisia seems democracy and freedom is a step closer. Interim President Foued Mebazaâ promised on Saturday to advocate pluralism and to recognize the Constitution. But his words are followed by action? In the coming days and weeks will determine whether the people more freedom to be granted, whether democratic reforms are possible.

Or whether the elites, the removal of the old leaders Ben Ali as the only concession to the people and perpetuate their power once more. The men who are now leading Tunisia, at least not for change. Interim head of state Mebazaâ, 77, is regarded as a follower Ben Ali, as well as corrupt and authoritarian.

Since the seventies, he held several ministerial positions. Even Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi, 69, who was entrusted with forming a transitional government, is a confidant of Ben Ali. He pushed for economic policy, has rebelled against the people in recent weeks. After the escape of Ben Ali's hinted at on Friday even Ghannouchi, the President could return.

But Ghannouchi must negotiate with the opposition and form a coalition. Tunisia has so far only a paper democracy, Ben Ali has made known to regularly election results from around 90 percent. "The legal opposition is weak and fragmented," Tunisia expert warns Emma Murphy on the BBC. "Or it has for years cooperated with the regime of Ben Ali's or submitted to him." A real opposition has refused to allow the government, dissidents were tortured.

After all, to a meeting of Prime Minister Ghannouchi with representatives of the opposition on Saturday is also the lawyer Najib Chebbi was loaded to keep the Western diplomats has long been the most credible representatives of the opposition. Tunisia are facing difficult times. On Saturday, a day after the flight of the old despot, there was no holiday atmosphere - but a state of emergency.

Chaos, violence and gun battles were reported from the capital. A shopping center went up in flames. Looters roamed the streets of Tunis'. In the working-class neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city residents armed themselves with metal rods and knives to ward off looters. Armed attackers fired from passing cars indiscriminately at passers-by, the agency reported.

In military circles has been suggested, therefore, that Ben Ali's allies were behind the shooter. With mass escapes from the prison in the resort of Monastir and Mahdia apparently dozens of people were killed. Some prisoners had set fire to mattresses in Monastir, the flames spread to the building.

The political analyst of the Eurasia Group do not expect any quick relaxation of the situation - and now warn the current leaders: "If Ghannouchi announced no firm timetable for early presidential elections and does not form a transitional government with prominent opposition politicians, this could be the man to drive back to the streets." Demonstrators announced resistance should keep the old elite in power.

They wanted to "continue the civil disobedience until the regime is gone," said a man whose brother was killed in the protests, the agency. "The street has spoken." Opposition forces could benefit that current leaders of the state by Prime Minister Ghannouchi and Interim President Mebazaâ emits no unity.

Between the two men apparently a raging power struggle. Ghannouchi stayed just one night in place of Ben Ali and interim president before Mebazaâ was set up on Saturday. A return of Ben Ali's seems impossible after all, he has settled after 23 years in power after Saudi Arabia. His wife Leila, their clan, the country was under control, had fled days ago to Dubai.

A brother Ben Ali's status just chose a means of escape: his luxury yacht. Other relatives talk for days on in a VIP hotel in Disneyland Paris. Some family members were less fortunate. They sat on the plane to Lyon, but the pilot refused to take off. The passengers they held in check, after all, they were arrested.

Angry Tunisians are a list of clan members in the fine suburbs of Tunis have been traveling and have systematically looted their houses. Tunisian soldiers sat on Saturday also discovered hundreds of elite police officers Ben Ali. They are accused of having been responsible for the violent escalation in the mass demonstrations of recent days.

In particular, the presidential guard should also have been involved in looting and destruction. The Internet circulates the advice: "If the police will ring open, do not!"

No comments:

Post a Comment