Fifteen years have passed since Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old Tunisian street vendor whose cart was confiscated by the police, set himself on fire to protest against police harassment and the authorities’ neglect.His act of desperation triggered nationwide protests by millions facing a crushing reality of increased unemployment, corruption, and a decades-old political system with little room for expression or change.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listIn 28 days, demonstrators brought down President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who had been in power for 23 years.Inspired by Tunisia’s uprising, millions of people from Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Syria took to the streets in 2011.This movement, which became known as the Arab Spring, led to the toppling of five longtime leaders. Al Jazeera looks back at what happened to those leaders.Tunisia’s Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
1936-2019
In power: 1987-2011 (23 years)
Status: Died in exile
(Al Jazeera)Zine El Abidine Ben Ali came to power in 1987 when, as prime minister, he declared President-for-life Habib Bourguiba medically unfit to rule.In office, the former security chief worked to repress any challenges to his rule and installed a rigid system anchored in security services and a loyal governing party.He opened up the economy, leading to economic growth, but the country was mired in deepening corruption, inequality, and media censorship, sparking public outrage and anger.Grievances, including over police abuse, youth joblessness, and entrenched corruption, erupted after the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi on December 17, 2010. Advertisement After nearly a month of nonstop demonstrations, on January 14, Ben Ali dissolved the government, declared a state of emergency and fled to Saudi Arabia.[embedded content]A Tunisian court later sentenced him in absentia to lif …
