TUNIS, TUNISIA— Al-shab yurid isqat al-nizam (‘’the people demand the overthrow of the regime’’) – was by far the chief slogan of the Tunisian and other Arab nations who revolted peacefully against tyranny. The fall of Ben Ali‘s regime gave Tunisians of all stripes a sigh of relief. As soon as the enemy of freedom and life fled the country, the overwhelming majority of Tunisians thought that a new era is ushering in; Tunisia is born anew. The demands that were the major rallying cries were clear. Change and freedom were by far the catchwords. People were eager to see the collaborators of the despotic regime to be judged and put behind bars in a fair and open trial. In the same vein, Tunisians were and still are eager to see competent and trustworthy officials be appointed on top of governmental institutions. The foundation of a governmental system based on respect towards citizens regardless of their family names and their origins was also part of the main domains Tunisians want to see enshrined in the country’s values. Yet, and given the current juncture, it is very legitimate to wonder whether these demands are today lofty or beyond reach?
When the Tunisian Spring ushered in, the aforementioned demands sounded possible, especially that the fall of the Ben Ali regime was considered in mountaineering terms like the scaling of Everest. However, as time lapses, Tunisians have come to realize that their demands or their cherished dreams have not been met. The wheel of change has not run smoothly. Quite the contrary, it has taken another course. The feeling of disappointment has creped into the hearts of many who thronged to the streets aiming at bringing an end to injustice and its entire offspring. Who should be blamed? Should the blame be directed at our political elites to whom people trusted in the October 2011 elections to fulfill their aspirations? The entire world watched the last legislative elections on the 26th of October this year and its output. These elections were fair and transparent inside the centers of elections which covered the whole territory of Tunisia. No doubt about that. However, the results were to those who took to the streets during December and January 2011, demanding the overthrow of the regime, disappointing to some extent. Why is that? Put succinctly, the figures that represent the old guard have come back. The contest in the second round of presidential elections is between Mr. Beji Caid Essebsi, who represents the old guard par excellence, and his rival Dr. Moncef Marzouki, who is one of the excretions of this revolution. Science teaches us that the output is but the recuperation of the input. Life teaches us that what you seed is what you will reap. It seems that ‘winds’ are blowing against the expectations of revolutionary Tunisians. A week ago during a walk in the Avenue Habib Bourguiba, where the eyes of the world were attached to the rallying cries of Tunisians in front of the ministry of interior on Friday the 14th of January 2011, I was caught by a lengthy book on Tunisia entitled ‘’ La Revolution Kidnappée’’ by Mustapha Kraiem ( ‘’The Kidnapped Revolution’’). Although I have not read it I was moved by the title as it encapsulates and sheds light on the aforementioned questions that have vexed me and others. Be this as it is are our cherished dreams going to give to nightmares. I hope not. What I can admit with my mind’s eye and tongue in cheek is that the events that have marked Tunisia and the Middle East region are great and in dire need for outstanding personalities. We need Socratic-like minds; Khaled Ibn Al Waleed courage-like individuals. My call is to all men and women, working and jobless, peasants and Ph.D. holders, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand, strong faith in God Almighty and the blessings of Koran and the purified Sunnah, the legends of great companions of the Prophet Mohammed, peace and blessings be upon him, to fill in the landscape of our collective dreams. It is this long and worthy process that I want to take part of.
And God is the grantor of success.
