10.2 The fall of authoritarian regimes in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya

The Arab Spring revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya marked a turning point in Middle Eastern politics. Sparked by public frustration with corruption and economic hardship, these uprisings led to the ousting of long-standing dictators and ushered in a period of political transformation.

Protesters used peaceful demonstrations, social media, and civil disobedience to challenge authoritarian rule. While each country's revolution unfolded differently, they all faced similar challenges in establishing stable, democratic governments and addressing deep-rooted economic and social issues in the aftermath.

The Tunisian, Egyptian, and Libyan Revolutions

Key events of Arab Spring revolutions

Top images from around the web for Key events of Arab Spring revolutions

• 

  Arab Spring - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Arab Spring - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Arab Spring - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Arab Spring - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Arab Spring - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Key events of Arab Spring revolutions

• 

  Arab Spring - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Arab Spring - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Arab Spring - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Arab Spring - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Arab Spring - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Tunisia
  • December 17, 2010: Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation in protest of police harassment and unemployment ignites widespread demonstrations across the country
  • January 14, 2011: After weeks of massive protests, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali flees to Saudi Arabia, ending his 23-year rule
  • October 23, 2011: Tunisians vote in the Constituent Assembly election, the first free and fair election in the country's history, to draft a new constitution
• Egypt
  • January 25, 2011: Inspired by Tunisia's uprising, Egyptians launch the "Day of Rage" protests, demanding an end to President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule
  • February 11, 2011: Following 18 days of massive demonstrations centered in Cairo's Tahrir Square, Mubarak resigns and hands power to the military
  • November 28, 2011: Parliamentary elections begin, marking the first step in Egypt's post-Mubarak transition
• Libya
  • February 15, 2011: Anti-government protests erupt in Benghazi, quickly spreading to other cities and leading to clashes with security forces
  • February 27, 2011: Opposition forces establish the National Transitional Council (NTC) in Benghazi as the political face of the revolution
  • October 20, 2011: After months of civil war and NATO intervention, rebel forces capture and kill long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi in his hometown of Sirte

Protest strategies vs regime responses

• Protesters' strategies
  • Peaceful demonstrations and marches to express grievances and demand political change
  • Use of social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter) to organize protests, share information, and garner international support
  • Occupation of public spaces, such as Tahrir Square in Cairo, to maintain pressure on the regime and create a sense of unity among protesters
  • Strikes and civil disobedience to disrupt the economy and demonstrate the widespread nature of the opposition
• Regimes' responses
  • Tunisia: Ben Ali's government initially cracked down on protesters but offered concessions as the situation escalated, ultimately leading to his ouster
  • Egypt: Mubarak attempted to appease protesters with promises of reform and by appointing a vice president, but his refusal to step down led to his eventual resignation
  • Libya: Gaddafi launched a violent suppression of protests, using military force against civilians, which escalated into a full-scale civil war

Military's role in protest movements

• Tunisia
  • The Tunisian military played a crucial role by refusing orders to fire on protesters, signaling a break with the Ben Ali regime
  • General Rachid Ammar's decision not to support Ben Ali and to protect protesters was a turning point in the revolution
• Egypt
  • The Egyptian military initially remained neutral during the protests, neither fully supporting Mubarak nor the demonstrators
  • As the situation escalated, the military sided with the protesters, facilitating Mubarak's resignation and assuming power through the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF)
  • The military's role in post-Mubarak Egypt remained significant, with the SCAF overseeing the transition process
• Libya
  • The Libyan military experienced a split between Gaddafi loyalists and defectors who opposed the regime's violent crackdown on protesters
  • Defecting soldiers and officers formed the backbone of the armed opposition to Gaddafi, which eventually coalesced into the National Liberation Army under the NTC

Challenges for post-revolution governments

• Political instability and power struggles
  • Competing political factions and ideologies vying for influence in the post-revolutionary landscape
  • Difficulty in forming stable governments due to divergent interests and lack of consensus
• Economic challenges
  • High levels of unemployment, particularly among youth, and rising inflation in the aftermath of the revolutions
  • Need for comprehensive economic reforms and diversification to address structural issues and improve living standards
• Security concerns
  • Remnants of the old regimes seeking to undermine the transition process and regain power
  • Rise of extremist groups and militias exploiting the security vacuum and challenging the authority of new governments
• Drafting new constitutions and holding elections
  • Balancing the interests of different political, social, and religious groups in the constitution-drafting process to ensure inclusivity
  • Establishing the rule of law, independent institutions, and mechanisms for accountability to prevent a return to authoritarianism