Tunisia mourns dead of revolution

TUNISIA BEGAN three days of mourning yesterday for those who died during the revolution that overthrew president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali after 23 years in power.

Amid further signs that normal life was gradually resuming in the capital Tunis, anti-government protesters again took to the streets to demand the removal of ministers from Ben Ali’s RCD party in the new cabinet.

Soldiers and police looked on as hundreds protested peacefully outside government buildings in the city, while state television also showed hundreds of people protesting against the government in the southwestern town of Gafsa, the coastal town of Sfax and Tataouine in the far south.

The government says at least 78 people have been killed since December 17th, while the United Nations has put the death toll at about 100.

A series of events is due to take place during the three-day official mourning period, including vigils for those who died during a month of unrest.

Senior government figures, including prime minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, are continuing their efforts to placate four opposition figures who resigned from cabinet this week in protest at the retention of senior members of the old regime in key posts.

The main UGTT trade union yesterday called for the government to be replaced by a “national salvation” cabinet without figures linked with Ben Ali’s regime.

Advocates of the new government, which is charged with preparing for free elections within six months, say retaining RCD figures is vital to ensure a smooth transition. They fear removing the RCD politicians and replacing them with largely unknown opposition members could exacerbate the country’s instability.

Meanwhile, in Sidi Bouzid, the town where the nationwide wave of unrest began in mid-December, local people expressed their pride at having played a central role in the removal of Ben Ali.

On December 17th, Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old local man, set himself alight in Sidi Bouzid after his fruit and vegetable cart was confiscated by police. His gesture set off a series of demonstrations that culminated in Ben Ali’s departure to Saudi Arabia on January 14th. Bouazizi died after three weeks in hospital.

“I’m proud today,” said Hamdi Hechmi, a middle-aged local man, his eyes filling with tears. “I’m crying. They tried to split us. Mouchards , profiteers and mafia were everywhere. They’d come at 3am and take a father in front of his three-year-old son. Hopefully that’s all over now.”

A makeshift memorial adorned with a photograph of a smiling Bouazizi had been erected near the governor’s office, marking the spot where the young man set himself ablaze in December.

Army vehicles watched from a discrete distance as scores of young men congregated at the square to pass the time.

Dali Mohamed, who described himself as a manual worker, said the protests in Sidi Bouzid were driven by frustration after 23 years of Ben Ali’s authoritarian rule.

“They couldn’t tolerate what they’d put up with for the last 23 years,” he said. “It was a real revolution of the people, of all classes – judges, doctors, farmers, the unemployed. Nobody didn’t get involved.” On whether the RCD should remain part of the new cabinet, Mohamed was adamant. “It won’t be finished until the regime is gone,” he said.