A dream of freedom sparked Tunisia’s revolution. Ten years on, economic reality now threatens it

A dream of freedom sparked Tunisia’s revolution. Ten years on, economic reality now threatens it

When a young street vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi in the Tunisian backwater town of Sidi Bouzid set himself on fire on 17 December 2010, he ignited a revolution that would spread across his own country and later to much of the Middle East.  Back then, there was hope for change, a new era of prosperity and freedom.  But ten years later, that spectacular moment of joy and liberation has faded away to reveal a sober reality. A small country struggles to find its way despite economic stagnancy, persistent corruption, and stark political and cultural polarisation.  

“They say we now have freedom of expression,” says Samar, a 32-year-old from Sidi Bouzid who was a student at the time of revolution. “It may be good. But for others, not for us. Not for the poor. It doesn't give us enough to eat.”

Tunisia, a north African nation of 11.5 million, has changed dramatically in the 10 years since Bouazizi's suicidal act of desperation prompted a 25-day uprising that led to the ousting of the country's longtime dictator, Zine el-Abedine Ben Ali.  The country has held numerous elections. It changed its entire form of government to strengthen parliament, and adopted a new constitution that