As you know, the northern African country kicked off protests, which have now spread to Egypt, Yemen, and Jordan. African bookeristas weigh in:
Uganda/Kenya: Charles Onyango-Obbo: "Tunisians Do Africa Proud As 2011 Starts With A Bang"
The Ugandan-born moderate journalist in Kenya writes: "It seems this year could kill us with excitement, high drama, and great emotional moments in Africa. The year started off with the continued refusal by Laurent Gbagbo to hand over power after he lost elections to his opposition rival Alassane Ouattara. In Southern Sudan a fortnight ago, there was a referendum on Independence. The result is that we are witnessing something perhaps 85 per cent of Africa’s one billion people have never seen — the birth a brand new African nation! Then Tunisia drove our adrenalin to the skies. The angry masses and middle class joined to drive Zine El Abidine Ben Ali from power. He had ruled the country as a mixed economic reformist-cum-corrupt dictator for 23 years. It was the first ouster of a president in an Arab country through people power."
More commentary from Mr. Onyango-Obbo: "In countries like Uganda, if one-and-a-half million took to rioting, the army would just turn, because shooting them means you are most likely to kill your own relatives. In Egypt, five million can send the huge army fleeing. And when that number comes out, there is another danger. It will not just be Mubarak who loses power, but the whole ruling class. At such moments, the ruling class will rally and cut their losses by throwing Mubarak under the bus. They have done Africa proud, those Tunisians."
Senegal/France: Rama Yade: "Je Suis Très Fière Du Peuple Tunisien (I'm Ecstatic For The Tunisians)"
L'Express interviews the French ambassador to UNESCO and moderate (original article in French): "On your blog , you tip your hat to the Tunisian... Yes, the Tunisian people showed great courage, they went into the streets for their freedom, they are among those who said no. I wanted to pay tribute to the Tunisian past and present, people who have always believed in freedom, who, like Mohammed Bouaziz, have sacrificed their lives so one day Tunisia can be free. All those who took to the streets despite repression must be considered heroes. I am very proud of them. It demonstrated the vitality of human rights that must be the absolute foundation. Authoritarianism is not the natural regime of humanity. As Jacques Prevert once said, 'when the truth isn't free, freedom isn't true.' Governments can't deprive people of their liberty without one day being held accountable. There, popular opinion was final.
How do you judge France' attitude during this crisis? It's the force of habit, no doubt. The situation shouldn't be so easy to grasp as things went quickly. But after 23 years of the deprivation of freedom, it takes so long. Now, liberating chaos is to succeed with a peaceful democracy and fair: jobs for unemployed youth, free elections...We didn't give any orders, it is up to Tunisians to decide their fate. If they wish for our country to support them during this transitional phase, as a historical partner France can accompany the change.
To justify support for the regime of Ben Ali's regime, the Islamic threat is often mentioned. This again shows France's difficulty to speak to Islam ...The Islamist threat is a reality in many Arab countries and it is normal to be cautious. If we respect the Tunisian sovereignty, we must trust them. Political education and literacy started under Bourguiba was pursued. It is an cultured population, educated, skilled - at least, I hope they hold off the Islamists and all the opportunists to build a democratic land that Tunisians deserve."
Discuss "Political Turmoil In Tunisia: African Bookerista Perspectives" post here.
Political Turmoil In Tunisia: African Bookerista Perspectives
