Okay, it's time to come clean. You completely forgot about Tunisia, didn't you? Go ahead and say it. "I forgot about Tunisia and now I have no clue what's going on." I know it might be hard, but you need to admit it before we can move on. There's no need to be shy, I know you did it anyway, and I'm ready to forgive you for it. There -- that feels better, right?
For those who do not consume Middle Eastern news for caloric sustenance it was pretty easy to miss the reports coming out of Tunisia for the last two weeks. With drama in Egypt unfolding by the minute, Tunisia has been sent back to the JV squad of world news stories. Fortunately, your humble Jawaala has closely watched events in Tunisia and I am happy to say that recent developments -- though less spectacular than legions of protestors fighting pitched battles in the street -- are perhaps equally remarkable.
Since the overthrow of President and noted scarf model Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia has made several important steps toward democratization. Initial reports of a committee of "wise men" made up of political veterans from the opposition proved to be overblown; no committee has formed and discussion of its potential membership has ceased. Instead, three independent committees appointed by the interim National Unity Government (NUG) have taken up a guiding role for the transition to a new government. The committees are investigating human rights, corruption, and political reform, and they have been working since late January.
The NUG has also begun to address the colossal task of reforming the Ministry of Interior. The ministry's formidable police force and security agencies were the main instrument of repression under the Ben Ali regime. Currently the last major stronghold of Ben Ali loyalists in the country, reform of the ministry and the police forces is a key to progress going forward. The interim Interior Minister Farhat Rajhi and his staff have proven their commitment to reform by foiling a brief coup attempt led by former officers, continuing to purge the security services of regime allies, and negotiating an end to a strike by the national police force for an across-the-board pay raise and unionization rights. A newly independent judiciary has sought to freeze the international assets of the Ben Ali family, and arrested numerous members of the old guard responsible for corruption and human rights abuses, including former Interior Minister Rafik Belhaj Kacem.
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) has been formally disbanded and the interim President has been given the legal authority to issue decrees without the approval of a parliament that functioned for years as a network for distribution of economic favors and as a rubber stamp for the executive. The intention of this measure is to expedite the reform process, and though this is risky from any perspective it does show that the NUG intends to enact laws that may not sit well with the remnants of the former government. The NUG also dismissed all 24 regional governors and has consulted with opposition and the powerful UGTT trade union to appoint new interim governors. One of the most promising developments is the launch of Tunisia's first independent news channel, Sawt an-Nas. The lack of independent media poses a major challenge to Tunisian democracy, and Sawt an-Nas is an important first step toward a flourishing free press. Furthermore, the state-owned press agencies have been developing into reliable news sources since Ben Ali's abdication, as their leadership was forced out by pro-democracy activists and many journalists committed to objective reporting have chosen to remain (Tunisians by and large have welcomed the change in their media and they are staying well informed on the minutiae of the transition government).
Of course, there are difficulties. Unrest continues in certain regions, and loyalty among the police forces remains a major concern. The Tunisian economy has slowed significantly, labor strikes continue, political parties and civil society still have no local presence, and preparations for elections and constitutional reform have only just begun. However, at present Tunisians appear to be making progress toward a positive outcome, and the old regime is beginning to fade into obscurity. The NUG has shown a commitment to establishing order and fostering a liberal democracy. Though all of these developments are encouraging, the movement for reform is still very delicate. No substantive changes have been made yet, and there is no guarantee that the NUG and the opposition parties will be able to continue to collaborate and use their energy productively. But it seems clear now that the Tunisian people believe their progress can set an example for the Arab nation and indeed the entire world. Tunisia has taken several important steps toward a momentous transition, and no matter what happens in the Middle East it will be an exciting country to watch over the coming months.
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