AN UNPRECEDENTED wave of unrest in Tunisia intensified at the weekend, with violent clashes resulting in the deaths of between eight and 20 civilians.
The government said eight people died during confrontations with police in two provincial towns, while the opposition suggested the true figure was 20 and urged President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to order a “ceasefire” to prevent further bloodshed.
The unrest was instigated when a young man set himself alight in the town of Sidi Bouzid last month to protest against the confiscation by police of his fruit and vegetable cart.
Mohammed Bouazizi (26) died from his injuries last week, and the incident has been embraced by trade unionists and students angry with conditions under the country’s authoritarian regime. High youth unemployment has been cited as one the protesters’ primary grievances.
Nejib Chebbi, founder of the PDP opposition party, said a ceasefire was needed “to spare the lives of innocent citizens and to respect their right to protest peacefully”. Mr Chebbi’s party has no seats in parliament but he is considered the most credible leader in Tunisia’s weak and divided opposition. There were unconfirmed reports yesterday that the military had been deployed to quell protests in some places.
Mr Ben Ali, who has been in power for 23 years and has consistently received more than 90 per cent of the vote in disputed elections, said the protests were unacceptable and could harm Tunisia’s interests by discouraging investors and tourists.
Tunisian authorities say that police have used force only where necessary to stop protesters endangering life and ransacking government buildings. They also say they are investing millions of dollars in creating new jobs.
The United States said on Friday it called in Tunisia’s ambassador in Washington to express concern about the protests.
Mr Ben Ali has pursued vigorous economic liberalisation and enjoys good relations with western powers thanks to his country’s relative stability and his tough stance on radical Islamism.