Tunisia: Police arrest 11 people amid protests against poverty

Tunisian interior ministry Tuesday announced the arrest of 11 people who attacked security establishments in central Sidi Bouzid region, marked by several days of violent protests against economic hardship.

Inhabitants of the town of Jelma launched protests Saturday, a day after Abdelwaheb Hablani, 25, set himself on fire in protest against poverty and hard economic conditions. He later died of his wounds.

A spokesman for the interior ministry told AFP that protesters blocked roads and attacked law enforcement forces on Saturday and Sunday.

“Youths aged between 11 and 18 attacked law enforcement officers during the night, throwing stones at them and wounding 20 officers,” Khaled Hayouni said.

Hayouni also indicated police forces used tear gas to disperse the protestors.

Abdelwaheb Hablani’s action is reminiscent of street vendor Mohammed Bouazizi’s self-immolation in 2010. His death triggered the 2011 revolution that spilled to several countries in North Africa and the Middle East causing the fall of a number of the autocratic leaders.

A civil society group, The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights expressed “deep concerns” about the social tension in Jelma.

The NGO put the blame on the failure of successive governments in the North African country to address social demands and called for “radical change in economic and social policies”.

Though Tunisia successfully transitioned into democracy unlike other countries in the aftermath of the various revolutions, the country is still facing chronic economic roadblocks that have increased youth unemployment.

Tunisia had to subscribe to austerity measures imposed by donors to obtain international economic assistance.