Manoubia Bouazizi, the mother of Mohamed Bouazizi, the vegetable vendor who ignited the Tunisian revolution on December 17, 2010, by setting himself on fire, believes that the revolutionary course is still lost. She insists that the government has only made empty promises to her family as well as other ‘martyrs’ and that Tunisians still have a long way to go before calling the revolution a success.

Manoubia Bouazizi, the mother of Mohamed Bouazizi, the vegetable vendor who ignited the Tunisian revolution on December 17, 2010, by setting himself on fire, believes that the revolutionary course is still lost. She insists that the government has only made empty promises to her family as well as other ‘martyrs’ and that Tunisians still have a long way to go before calling the revolution a success.

Two years after your son set himself on fire and the outbreak of the revolution, do you believe that the revolution has realized its goals?

From the outset,  the Tunisian people announced that theirs was a revolution against injustice, abandoning their fear of the ruling executioner and revolting against their painful social and material situation. The first step was realized when the regime was toppled and the ousted president, Ben Ali, fled.

Unfortunately, that step has remained unmatched and there has been no progress in the revolutionary course. The revolution’s train is still in its first stop, and has been waiting for the starting whistle for two years. My son has sacrificed his life, like all other martyrs, in order to realize a decent life and secure job opportunities and freedom, but what has happened is a few steps backwards. Prices and rates of unemployment have increased and marginalization and humiliation continue in underprivileged regions where the revolution first started.

Does Mohamed Bouazizi still hold that symbolism that has made him a hero and a martyr for everyone during the first days of the revolution?

(Sighs deeply) My son lived underprivileged and died oppressed. He was not meant in his lifetime or after his death to enjoy some comfort and safety. Everyone has ignored that incident and my son, in the eyes of some, has turned from a leader of a popular revolution into the cause of deteriorated situations in the country. I was greatly shocked when I heard some statements that considered him the reason for deteriorated financial and social situations in Tunisia.

Desperation and frustration prompted some to defame my son, calling him the ugliest epithets since he, they believe, turned the country upside down. The new rulers and the harms they have inflicted on people through destroying their dream have entrenched this idea.

Mohamed was wronged a lot and his good memory has been forgotten. No one cares about that incident any longer, but Mohamed will always remain a symbol of the revolution and his memory will be perpetuated.

But the people of Bouzid mark today the second anniversary of the revolutionary initiator?

Thanks to them and to everyone who has not forgotten Mohamed Bouazizi. This is my only consolation in this world. Perhaps, this annual celebration is the best compensation for him since it corrects the path and the history of the revolution which broke out on December 17th rather than on January 14th.  All the countries that have witnessed a revolution relate it to the day it broke out, but here in Tunisia we relate it to the day the former president fled, an offence against all those who sacrificed their lives, got wounded and rose up against the former regime’s policies.

What has the Bouazizi family gained from Mohamed’s fame?

We have won but people’s sympathy, solidarity and sharing of our feeling of the extent of the suffering and pain since we have lost our son who sacrificed his life for this homeland which is dear to all of us.

What about the financial compensation you have received?

We received only US$15,000 like the families of most of the martyrs. We demand no financial compensation and have not begged at the doors of officials for a charity or a dole. May God forgive all those who have harmed us morally through rumors that the Bouazizis have become rich. Some malicious ones even say we received a grant from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon! I swear we received but those $15,000 and we seek no distinction from the other families of martyrs.

Why has the social status of the Bouazizis not improved despite the successive governments and the many promises you have received?

Politicians’ words are mere stupidity and fall under electoral promises and narrow party accounts, but what happens behind the scenes is exactly the opposite. I want to say that Mohamed died oppressed and today he dies again, due to the politicians’ rush to serve their personal interests at the expense of the families of martyrs. We received so many promises, apparently favorable, but they have turned out to be false; they just play on words and feelings. My son died heartsick after having been fatigued by injustice, suppression and poverty. His family must rely on God for justice.

Do you believe the current government, led by the Ennahda Movement, could get the country out of the dark tunnel?

I do not know what to say, but the current situation experienced by Tunisians causes pessimism. The government should change its policies through reducing promises and telling the people the truth and be being frank with them. The Ennahda government faces the difficult living conditions and the tension prevalent in many underprivileged regions and offers only promises. And I believe one cannot expect anything good from a government that does not honor martyrs.

So this is why you have chosen to belong to the Call For Tunisia Party?

(Sarcastically and surprisingly) I know neither Call for Tunisia nor any other call. My affiliation is with this country only without any partisanship.