14 January 2011: Fall of the Ben Ali Regime

Social demonstrations, especially in the marginalised southern regions of Gafsa, Sidi Bouzid, and Thala have characterized the last period of the 2000s (Allal 2012). Following the symbolic self-immolation of the street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi, whose wares were confiscated, and who was humiliated by a police officer, an unprecedented social movement broke out in several cities. The popular claims for social justice (“work, bread, freedom, and dignity”) eventually led to the fall of President Ben Ali regime (1987-2011), who was unseated on 14 January 2011. A transitional government was appointed in order to organise the elections and create a constituent assembly.