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26 Oct 2011 15:08

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World: Tunisia’s Islamic “Al Nahda” party may form secular coalition

  • An islamic/secular coexistence in Tunisia? As the results come back from the first Democratic election in Tunisia’s history (and the first such election to arise from the Arab Spring), all signs are pointing to a coalition government. The most successful party in the election, the Islamist Al Nahda party, failed to win an outright majority (they’re projected around 30%), meaning they will likely seek to team up with two other secular parties, which it’s believed would represent about 60% of the vote. This is an intriguing study in partnered government despite very differing ideals, and we’re very hopeful for the people of Tunisia that it bears fruit. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Oct 2011 12:12

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World: Not like Ben Ali’s rule: Tunisian elections draw massive crowds

  • then Elections during the rule of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali generally drew a fairly small number of people, due to the fact that many believed that the results were pre-determined.
  • now Ten months after the end of Ben Ali’s regime, today’s elections have drawn huge numbers of people, with lines spreading far beyond the polling booths. source
  • » Not without some controversy: A notable Islamist figure in the country, Rachid Ghannouchi, was heckled as he came out of the voting booth today. “You are a terrorist and an assassin! Go back to London,” one shouted. Ghannouchi, the leader of the moderate Ennahda party, spent over two decades in Britain, exiled from the country where he was once imprisoned for his political views. He returned earlier this year, and his party is expected to do well today.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Oct 2011 22:45

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World: Arab Spring: Islamists expected to win big in Tunisian election

  • Now I am happy that my son’s death has given the chance to get beyond fear and injustice. I’m an optimist, I wish success for my country.
  • Manoubia Bouazizi, mother of notable Tunisian self-immolator Mohamed Bouazizi • Discussing her son’s death and the spark for democracy it provided both in her own country but throughout northern Africa and the Middle East. Tomorrow Tunisia holds its first democratic election after the toppling of Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali ten months ago. (Ben Ali is now in exile in Saudi Arabia.) The Islamist Ennahda party, banned while Ben Ali was in power, is expected to garner the most votes, but not without controversy due to the long-encouraged secular culture in the country. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 Aug 2011 11:12

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World: Border between Tunisia, Libya opens up, ensuring supply chain

  • Tripoli needs lots of food. There is nothing there … we’re bringing this to them and then we’ll do more runs as needed.
  • Libyan man Lassad Trabelsi • Regarding the decision to open up the main border between Tunisia and Libya. Trabelsi was one of many people driving trucks through through the crossing in order to get supplies, which has been tough considering, you know, the deadly civil war in the country. And Tunisians are ready to help. “We’re ready to supply whatever our brothers need,” said one supplier who set up near the border. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Jun 2011 11:08

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World: Tunisia’s Ben Ali: I didn’t really leave! My plane ditched me!

  • He boarded the plane with his family after ordering the crew to wait for him in Jeddah. But after his arrival in Jeddah, the plane returned to Tunisia, without waiting for him, contrary to his orders. He did not leave his post as president of the republic and hasn’t fled Tunisia as he was falsely accused of doing.
  • A statement by Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali’s lawyers • Claiming he didn’t actually leave Tunisia amid protests as was reported by just about everyone. Instead, he claims he was basically ditched. Seems like a fascinating thing to say … six months after the fact. A Tunisian court is trying Ben Ali in absentia for a series of crimes, including theft and illegal possession of firearms and other things he probably shouldn’t have had. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 May 2011 09:40

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World: G8 Summit: Arab Spring nations will receive billions in aid

  • what G8 leaders plan to pledge around $20 billion to Arab Spring countries — particularly Egypt and Tunisia, where successful protests led to the ousting of dictators and the possible rise of democracy.
  • why To put it simply, they feel that if they don’t, the countries could face economic hardships that might lead to the rise of extremism. Many G8 nations will also act on their own to help the countries. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

08 May 2011 10:06

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World: Alleged Libyan rape victim escapes to Tunisia amid backlash

  • I still do not know what I am going to do. Of course I’d like to see my family.
  • An alleged Libyan rape victim • Revealing to the world that weeks after loudly revealing her brutal plight to a hotel full of journalists, she has left Libya and relocated to Tunisia as a refugee. She escaped, she says, in a military car wearing a head cover that covered everything except one eye. After a “very tiring” trip, she is currently staying at the French embassy in Tunis while she considers her fate. Let’s hope she never has to go back, or if she does, it’s at a time when the culture around her better understands her plight. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

21 Apr 2011 13:31

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World: Libyan rebel forces win strategic victory at Tunisian border

  • Libyan rebels claim Tunisian border post: The deputy leader of the rebel forces that seized this strategic piece of land, giving his name as Youssef, said they had killed about ten pro-Gaddafi soldiers in the process, and injured twenty-five. Their ability to hold this post is key, as open access to Tunisia allows more freedom of movement (Tunisia is likely now concerned about being able to support the increased influx of refugees, which should have a much easier time migrating), and gives them a new avenue to receive medical supplies. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

29 Mar 2011 14:17

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Offbeat: Presenting “The Three Big Pigs,” “Angry Birds”-style

  • Three Little Pigs you might dislike: Angry Birds is the motif of this animation describing the uprising in the Middle East. Easily the best take on the classic storyline since Green Jellÿ. Be sure not to miss the North Korea reference at the end. (via ProducerMatthew) source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Mar 2011 13:14

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World: Strain on border crossing out of Libya eases with extra support

  • YES airlifts are assisting Libyan refugee border crossings source
  • » Just get me outta here: Much to the relief of aid agencies and arbiters, the enormous surge of people fleeing Libya by way of the Tunisian border, estimated in recent days at around 150,000, is now getting support from aerial transport, easing the burden on the escape route. Aircraft have been activated from Britain, Egypt, and France, among others. This relieves much concern about a pressurized, very volatile situation the last few days due to the intense crowding being endured by these refugees.
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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