Despite revolutions, much of the problems remain intact in Arab countries
2011 has been a busy year for most Arabic countries, as they witnessed the uprisings of revolutions that were later named “Arab Spring.” Now, it’s been almost two years after the revolution, and it seems that no stability is set yet.
In Tunisia, the instability is due to Islamists radical rising to power, and as a result they watch their country getting politically and economically paralyzed. But the spark of the revolution still lives on with the city (Sidi Bouzid) where Bouazizi set himself on fire in protests on 17 December, 2010. Also the city declared that there would be celebration held on his honor.
But seeing how the situation is going, some people choose to protest instead of celebrating and held rallies all over the city opposing to (Nahda) ruling party.
People could swear that nothing have changed since the ouster of Zine El Abdine Ben Ali back in January 2011. Unemployment, which was the main cause of revolution then, is still spreading across the country. According to the report written by AFP’s journalist, Mokhtar Kahouli, it’s as if the revolution never happened.
Ever since the current government rose to power in October 2011, they’ve done nothing to improve their living. To make it worse, they ignored the killings that have been committed by the Salafis movement there.
The Salafis made many attacks since the start of this year, whether was it Sufi shrines or art galleries, they didn’t stop. And their attack on the US embassy resulted in killing 4 people.
While in Egypt, the last decree announced by the president Mohamed Morsi which gives him semi-absolute power in issuing the new constitution sparked several attacks & protests between his islamist supporters and the opposition.
But after some pressure he decided to cancel that decree but is still going through with the referendum on the constitution. Which the opposition highly refuses and is putting all of its efforts into making people say “No”, describing its articles as ones that doesn’t respect freedom and it would enable Islamists more control in the future, over legislations and laws.
Of course people still fear the results of this, especially after the last clashes which resulted in 8 dead and over 600 injured.
During this week too, IMF postponed the 4.8$ billion loan which Egypt asked for to help in restoring the budget for the upcoming year, because of the circumstances.
As for Libya, the government managed to hold election last July as well as restoring oil production level. But the biggest problem that still remains is the lack of security ever since Libya’s dictator Moamar Qadafi’s death.
As eight months of armed protests isn’t an easy task to solve by the transitional government. They’re trying hard right now to restore the country’s institutions as well as controlling the armed people who participated alongside and against Qadafi.
But it’s still worthy to note that the Libyan economic is improving. But still the armed extremists remain Libya’s greatest danger at the moment especially after their attack on the US embassy in Benghazi which resulted in killing the ambassador and 4 other Americans.
It’s apparent that Arabic countries after their revolution are still in a messy condition, whether was it economically, socially, or politically. So after their revolution against injustice, would they return to injustice once again, or would it all improve somehow?