21 April 2011

On 18 April, the African Development Bank said it will give $400-500m in aid to Tunisia to help with its financing needs.

The bank’s president said it would raise this to about $1bn later this year. Funds will go to Tunisia’s budget to help with unemployment, regional inequalities and improving accountability of government institutions. Tunisia has been in a state of unrest since former president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali fled the country on 14 January following widespread protests.

Tunisian authorities have prepared 18 legal cases against Ben Ali, including voluntary manslaughter and drug trafficking. The Justice Ministry is also exploring ways to extradite Ben Ali from Saudi Arabia to face trial.

14 April 2011

On 14 April, Tunisian authorities announced that they had prepared 18 legal cases against former president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.

The cases include voluntary manslaughter and drug trafficking, said Justice Minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi on state television TAP. Other charges also include conspiring against the state and drug use.

Chebbi also said that a total of 44 legal cases have been prepared against Ben Ali, his family and his inner circle. The Justice Ministry is now exploring legal ways to extradite Ben Ali from Saudi Arabia to face trial.

Ben Ali was forced to flee Tunisia on 14 January following weeks of protests against his regime.

10 March 2011

Demonstrations have continued in Tunisia even after President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali’s resignation on 14 January. The caretaker government no longer contains members of the old regime.

The interim government’s action:

• The secret police has been disbanded
• Elections have been called for 24 July

Political Risk assessment

With ‘clean hands’ now in charge of Tunisia, the election date set, and the dreaded secret police disempowered, the Jasmine revolution appears to have been a success. Managing a smooth transition to democracy will be crucial, however, as the opposition now knows the power of protest.