Inspired by ‘Yellow’ Tunisian group starts ‘Red Vests’ movement
6172 Mins Read
“A Tunisian group has started a “red vests” movement in protest against poor economic conditions in the Arab world’s only successful democracy.
Emulating the anti-austerity French yellow vests protests, the group said it was driven by the “failure and corruption” of the system, unemployment, inflation and the continuation of “a policy of systematic impoverishment”.
In its first statement, posted on Facebook last Friday, the group said one of its founders, Borhan Al-Ejlani, was arrested as a result of the “paid smear campaign” against the group in the wake of its launch.
The group added that it seeks to “save Tunisia” from its current woes, and criticised the “lack of vision” amongst the political elite and the increasing gap between it and the people.
It said the statement is only the beginning of their campaign activities, which they said have gained the support of many Tunisians.
It cited the results of the latest municipal elections in May in which the two largest parties – the nationalist Nida Tounes and the Muslim democratic Ennahda – lost at least half their support in favour of independent candidates.
Tunisia witnessed 746 social protests in November, according to the monthly social protests index published by the Economic and Social Rights Forum.
Tunisia’s economy has been hard hit since autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted in the 2011 revolution, triggered by record levels of inflation, poverty and unemployment.”
