The Revolution in the Republic of Tunisia
Timeline of Major Events throughout the Revolution in the Republic of Tunisia
www.psbearingwitness.com;xNLx;;xNLx;P.S. Bearing Witness Vol. 2 February 2013
2010-12-17 20:12:14
Bouazizi Sets Himself On Fire
Mohamed Bouazizi sets himself on fire in Sidi Bouazizi in central Tunisia. The 26 year old is hospitalized after surviving his suicide attempt but weeks of protests are sparked as stories of what allegedly pushed Bouazizi to self-immolation resonate with many young Tunisians.
2010-12-29 20:12:14
Government Tries To Squash Unrest
Tunisian President vows to punish rioters after violent unrest in nation where dissent is rare
2011-01-04 20:12:14
Bouazizi Dies
Bouazizi dies of third degree burns sustained during his suicide test
2011-01-09 20:12:14
Deadly Clashes Over Unemployment
11 people die in clashes with security forces after nearly four weeks of rioting over unemployment and social issues
2011-01-14 20:12:14
Ben Ali Flees
After broken promises of reform, Ben Ali flees to Saudi Arabia; Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi declares himself temporary ruler along with parliamentary speaker Fouad Mebazza as interim president. Clashes continue and the death toll rises.
2011-01-19 20:12:14
Foreign Intervention: Ben Ali Assets
Switzerland freezes Ben Ali’s assets
2011-02-27 20:12:14
Protests Against New Post Ali Gov
Ghannouchi resigns after violent protests over his ties to Ben Ali, triggering street celebrations in Tunis. A former foreign minister from the 1960s, Beji Caid Sebsi, replaced Ghannouchi.
2011-03-07 20:12:14
Gov2: Ben Ali Political Police Dissolved
Sebsi introduces a new cabinet that does not include a single career politician who had served under Ben Ali. The Interior Ministry announces that Ben Ali's political police and state security apparatus has been dissolved.
2011-03-09 20:12:14
Ben Ali Party Dissolved
Tunisian court dissolves Ben Ali’s party and confiscates all funds causing celebrations to breakout throughout the country
2011-04-23 20:12:14
Bouazizi's Rumored Slapper Freed
After 111 days of incarceration the authority rumored to have slapped 26 year old Bouazizi after confiscating his produce cart is found innocent of all charges and freed
2011-05-08 20:12:14
Emergency Curfew Instated
Emergency curfew instated after four days of ongoing clashes between police and anti-government protestors
2011-05-19 20:12:14
Osama bin Laden Supports Protests
Osama bin Laden releases a tape calling for more uprisings throughout the Arab world and praising Tunisia for being the first country to begin a revolution
2011-05-25 20:12:14
Blogger Quits Ministerial Post
Tunisian blogger, appointed as the minister for youth and sports after the ousting of Ben Ali, quits his ministerial post
2011-06-14 20:12:14
Elections Delayed For Prep Time
Excitement for a true democratic election builds as Tunisia delays elections to allow more time for preparation and to give citizens more time to register
2011-06-20 20:12:14
Court Finds Ben Ali & Wife Guilty
Tunisian court finds Ben Ali and his wife Leila Trabelsi guilty in absentia of theft and illegal possession of large sums of cash and sentences them to to 35 years in prison. In July court add 16 years in prison to Ben Ali’s and his son-in-law’s sentences on grounds of corruption.
2011-10-24 20:12:14
Mid East Revolution's First Elections
Tunisia holds the first election of the 21st Century’s first Mid East Revolutions. Voters choose from over 100 political parties to form an assembly responsible for drafting the country’s new constitution within a year
2011-10-26 20:12:14
Ah Nahda Wins Majority Seats
Preliminary results are confirmed and the political party An Nahda wins the majority of assembly seats
2011-11-22 20:12:14
First Assembly Meeting
Tunisian Assembly holds its first meeting among the 217 democratically elected officials
2011-12-12 20:12:14
New Prime Minister and President
Secretary general of the An nahda party Hamadi Jebeli is designated prime minister. Constitutional assembly members vote to elect former dissident Moncef Marzouki as president.
2012-06-01 20:12:14
Gov Imposes Curfew Post Art Protest
The government lifts curfew imposed several weeks earlier - following riots by Salafis and others over an art exhibition they deemed insulting to Islam.
2012-11-30 20:12:14
Clash with Police Over Unemployment
Over 220 people are reportedly injured as protestors clash with police while demanding jobs in a town called Siliana.United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says Tunisian authorities must stop using firearms against demonstrators.
2013-02-06 20:12:14
Opposition Leader Assassinated
Human rights lawyer and opposition leader with modest political following, Chokri Belaid, is murdered by an unidentified gunman outside of his home. The shooting sparks what observers called the largest street protests since the beginning of the revolution. Prime Minister Jebali calls the killing a political assassination and vows to dissolve the government in an effort to restore calm till the next elections.
2013-02-06 20:12:14
Ruling Party Rejects PM Plan for Calm
PM’s political party rejects the party chief’s plan revealing a divide and possible deadlock within the government. It also signaled to analysts that if party members were holding on to a power they earned democratically but weren’t willing to relinquish that power in an effort to restore calm in their homeland then maybe alternative motives are at play. Violent protests continue as Tunisians fight for the process building of law-abiding democracy.
2013-02-06 20:12:14
Ongoing Gov Deadlock - Power Fight
To Create a New Government or Not to Create a Government? To Relinquish Power For Calm after being Elected Democratically or to Hold Onto It For Dear Life?
2013-02-10 20:12:14
Reports Pres Party to Leave Coalition
Reports that Tunisian president's party planning 'to withdraw from coalition'
2013-02-11 20:12:14
Pres Party Reverses Decision to Leave
Reports that Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki's party has reversed its decision to withdraw from government
2013-02-11 20:12:14
Reportedly 100s Call Gov Resignation
Reportedly hundreds of protestors including the murdered opposition leader's wife demonstrate outside the national assembly demanding the government's resignation
2013-02-11 20:12:14
Suspect in Assassination Identifiable?
Tunisian security sources revealed late on Monday that they were able to identify the facial features of the suspect allegedly involved in the assassination of Tunisian opposition politician Chokri Belaid according to reports from Al Arabiya.
2013-02-19 13:10:08
PM Jebali Resigns
Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali resigns after an ongoing government deadlock over forming a new government. The PM was trying to form a new coalition government to help restore calm after the February 6th assassination of an opposition leader sparked mass protests.
2013-03-08 16:53:17
Tunisia PM Ali Larayedh Unveils New Government
Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Ali Larayedh announces a new coalition government led by Islamist Ennahda party.