Is Tunisia’s revolution really over?

A little more than five years ago, a small-town fruit seller set himself on fire. His death prompted nationwide protests by demonstrators angry at a lack of work and rampant corruption.

Now, it appears to be happening again.

A young job-seeker in the town of Kasserine was fatally electrocuted last week, while protesting against being turned down for a government job. And Tunisians took to the streets.

As in 2011, the police have responded harshly. There are no bullets this time, but a dusk-to-dawn curfew is in place.

The government rushed to blame outside players for fomenting the turmoil.

But isn’t that a state of denial? Is the post-revolution political system in Tunisia failing to address the
aspirations of its youth?

Presenter: Nick Clark

Guests:

Houda Mzioudet, political commentator and writer on Tunisian political affairs.

Monica Marks, visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations and a specialist in Tunisian politics.

Roxane Farmanfarmaian, Lecturer in International Relations of the Middle East and North Africa at the University of Cambridge.