January is a symbolical month for uprisings in Tunisia – first in the armed revolution against colonialism in 1952 and then the 2011 revolution, which toppled Ben Ali.

Last month, high unemployment spurred a new wave of protests and clashes in many parts of the country, which led the government to impose curfews.

History professor at Tunisian University Alia Amira spoke to Correspondents about the tendency of Tunisians to organize pivotal changes in the month of janvier.

Armed revolution against colonialism and court martials

January is a symbolical month for uprisings in Tunisia – first in the armed revolution against colonialism in 1952 and then the 2011 revolution, which toppled Ben Ali.

Last month, high unemployment spurred a new wave of protests and clashes in many parts of the country, which led the government to impose curfews.

History professor at Tunisian University Alia Amira spoke to Correspondents about the tendency of Tunisians to organize pivotal changes in the month of janvier.

Armed revolution against colonialism and court martials

*On January 20, 1946, ten years before the independence of Tunisia, Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) was founded by a group of regional trade unions.

The period witnessed clashes with the French occupational forces, led by the Constitutional Liberal Party and the leaders of the National Movement who were forced to take up arms after their national demands were completely rejected by the French authorities and the imposition of dual sovereignty in Tunisia.

*On January 18, 1952, the armed revolution was declared. Some 3,500 people volunteered.

*In January 1963, especially symbolic among residents in southern Tunisia, Lazhar Chraïti’s group was court martialled for attempting a coup, leading to the execution of 13 people: seven soldiers and six civilians.

*January 26, 1978, is an established reminiscence in the minds of Tunisians, particularly unionists and laborers because it reminds them of the most prominent crisis between the UGTT and the regime. It was the first time people saw the army in the street.

On that day, called Black Thursday, demonstrations happened in the entire country, especially in Tunis. Clashes were violent and bloody, claiming the lives of 52 people and leaving 365 injured, in accordance with official statistics. According to independent estimates, however, these numbers were about 400 and over 1,000 respectively.

*The January 1978, events resulted in the declaration of a state of emergency and a curfew in Tunis and its outskirts for almost three months. More than 700 unionists were arrested and tortured, leading to the death of some of them. They were also court martialled, including UGTT President Habib Achour who was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labor. A pro-state leadership of the UGTT was then appointed.

January 1980 – Gafsa armed operation

On the night of January 26, 1980, an armed group of 60 commandos belonging to opponent Arab nationalist factions, led by political leader Izzeddine Shrif and military commander Ahmed Mazghani, attacked the city of Gafsa in southern Tunisia in an attempt to control the army barracks and security centers and encourage people to revolt and take up arms.

The attempt failed and the group members were killed or trialed. These events caused strained relations between Tunisia and Libya because the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi was accused of contributing to the masterminding and support of the operation on the backlash of the abolition of the unity agreement between Libya and Tunisia, signed on January 12, 1969.

January 1984 – Bread uprising

It was called the bread events because it came after the ruling regime raised bread and flour prices. The decision entered into force on January 1, 1984. As a result, the revolution, which actually erupted on December 29, 1983, from the city of Douz in southern Tunisia, spread to Medenine, Gafsa, Gabes and then to cities in northwestern and midwestern Tunisia and then to Tunis. Confrontations were bloody, claiming the lives of about 51 people and leaving many injured. Large numbers of students, pupils and civil society, human rights and political activists participated in the uprising. Leftist activist Fadhel Sassi was assassinated in front of his house on January 3. As usual, tanks took to the street. Universities and educational institutions were forced to suspend education over January 4-7. The situation only stabilized when President Habib Bourguiba declared in a famous and historic speech the abolition of the price increase decision and the reconsideration of the new budget within a maximum of three months, while observing the deteriorating social and economic conditions of Tunisians who should not bear the burdens of economy deterioration.

January 2011 – Tunisian revolution and the start of the Arab Spring

After 25 years, Tunisians called again for the same social and economic demands, notably employment and development of internal regions. This time, they were more aware and mature and used new ways, mainly modern means of communication (the Internet and smart phones).

Neither President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali’s reassuring speeches and promises nor the machines and political maneuvers of his repressive regime could prevent his fall. Mass demonstrations that surrounded his crumbling regime everywhere forced him to leave the country on January 14, 2011.

January 2014 witnessed major protests against the draft budget, rejecting the troika government-approved compensation for released political prisoners, mainly supporters of Ennahda.

January 2016 saw peaceful protests and demonstrations in many marginalized cities (southern and western Tunisia and suburbs of major cities), demanding the end of regional marginalization and discrimination, as well as employment and reduction of cost of living.

Same causes

The same circumstances led to all previous revolutions: unemployment, poverty, marginalization, a lack of regional balance, absent prospects for the youth and skyrocketing prices.

January is also the coldest month when low temperatures, poverty and diseases take on another dimension for already frustrated citizens. In January, new budget choices and government decisions are applied, which are often unfair and cruel for average people.

All these protests took place due to unsuccessful economic options and social and development solutions and continuous unequal distribution of wealth. Moreover, the government was trying to control the UGTT and its structures and decisions, while the UGTT became greatly aware and mature thanks to new members of leftist students, politicians, nationalists and Baathists who demanded the independence of UGTT decisions and UGTT separation from the autocratic authority. In addition, vulnerable employment, exploitation and injustice prevailed and foreign institutions were granted great privileges by the infamous Law No. 72 at the expense of Tunisians.