It seems that the long-simmering resentment of their government by the Tunisian people is coming to a head. In much the same way that the death of Alexandros Grigoropoulous triggered the uprising in Greece, the recent self-immolation of a college student [1], Muhammad Bouazizi, after police shut down his unlicensed street kiosk has moved many Tunisians to violent clashes with the police. [2] Unfortunately, fatalities have resulted. [3]
In response, President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, apparently trying to prove just how stupid he is, blamed foreign media for stirring up the protests and then mischaracterizing them; [4] fired the communications minister as a result; [5] and, most foolishly, escalated the tempest by threatening demonstrators with severe punishment. [6] He then proceeded to arrest leaders of the major opposition party. [7]
[1] http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions/view/opinion/Protesters-and-Police-Clash-in-Tunisia-Following-Self-Immolation-6338
http://top10bookreviews.com/protesters-and-police-clash-in-tunisia-following-self-immolation (Scroll down for video)
[2] http://www.ips-dc.org/blog/will_the_tunisian_president_go_the_way_of_ceausescu_part_2
[3] http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40805193/ns/world_news-africa/
[4] http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-af-tunisia-unrest,0,3514159.story
[5] http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/12/tunisia-president-warns-protesters-shuffles-cabinet-amid-demonstrations.html
[6] http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2010/12/2010122823238574209.html
[7] http://www.wfaa.com/news/world/112602324.html
