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Zine El Abidine Ben Ali - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
زين العابدين بن علي


In office
7 November 1987 – 14 January 2011
Prime Minister Hédi Baccouche
Hamed Karoui
Mohamed Ghannouchi
Preceded by Habib Bourguiba
Succeeded by Mohamed Ghannouchi (Acting)
In office
2 October 1987 – 7 November 1987
President Habib Bourguiba
Preceded by Rachid Sfar
Succeeded by Hédi Baccouche
Born 3 September 1936 (1936-09-03) (age 74)
Hammam Sousse, French Tunisia
Political party Constitutional Democratic Rally
Spouse(s) Na'ima el-Kafy 1964-1988, Leïla Trabelsi 1988-Present
Alma mater Special Military School of Saint Cyr
School of Applied Artillery

Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (Arabic: زين العابدين بن علي‎ Zayn al-‘Ābidīn bin ‘Alī; born 3 September 1936) was the second President of the Tunisian Republic, holding office from November 7, 1987, until he was forced to step down on January 14, 2011.[1] He was appointed Prime Minister in October 1987, and assumed the Presidency in November 1987 in a bloodless coup d'état from then President Habib Bourguiba who was declared incompetent.[2] Ben Ali was subsequently re-elected with enormous majorities at every election, the last time being October 25, 2009.[3]

Contents

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Lack of democracy

The regime he led was deemed authoritarian and undemocratic by independent international human rights groups such as Amnesty International, Freedom House, and Protection International. They criticized Tunisian officials for not observing international standards of political rights[4][5][6] and interfering with the work of local human rights organizations.[7] In The Economist's 2010 Democracy Index, Tunisia was classified as an authoritarian regime ranking 144th out of 167 countries studied. In 2008, in terms of freedom of the press, Tunisia was ranked 143 out of 173.[8][9]

Education and military career

Ben Ali was born in Hammam-Sousse on 3 September 1936. While a student at Sousse Secondary School, Ben Ali joined the National resistance to French colonial rule serving as a liaison for the regional Neo-Destour party. For these activities, he was temporarily expelled from school and imprisoned.[10]

Upon completion of secondary school, Ben Ali earned degrees from the Special Inter-service School in Saint-Cyr, France, the Artillery School in Châlons-sur-Marne, France, the Senior Intelligence School (Maryland, USA) and the School for Anti-Aircraft Field Artillery (Texas, USA). His professional military career began in 1964 as a Tunisian staff officer. During his time in military service, he established the Military Security Department and directed its operations for 10 years. He briefly served as military attaché to Morocco and Spain before being appointed General Director of National Security in 1977.[11]

In 1980 he was appointed Ambassador to Warsaw, Poland, and served four years there. Ben Ali subsequently served as Minister of State in charge of the Interior before being appointed Interior Minister on 28 April 1986 then Prime Minister by President Habib Bourguiba in October 1987.[12]

Rise to the presidency

Ben Ali ascended to the office of President on 7 November 1987, after attending physicians to the former president filed an official medical report declaring Habib Bourguiba medically incapacitated and unable to fulfill the duties of the presidency.[13][14] In conformity with Article 57 of the Tunisian Constitution, the peaceful transition occurred as Tunisia was on the verge of economic collapse and a takeover of power by religious extremists[citation needed]. The country had faced 10% inflation, external debt accounting for 46% of GDP and a debt service ratio of 21% of GDP,[15] in addition to a bombing campaign and attempted government overthrow, for which 76 members of the radical “Islamic Tendency Movement” were convicted in 1987.[16]

In 1999 Fulvio Martini, former head of Italian military secret service SISMI, declared to a parliamentary committee that "In 1985-1987 we organized a kind of golpe in Tunisia, putting president Ben Ali as head of state, replacing Burghiba (sic) who wanted to flee". Bourguiba, although a symbol of anticolonial resistance, was considered not capable to lead his country anymore, and his reaction to the raising Islamic integralism was deemed "a bit too energetic" by Martini: Bourguiba's threat to execute the suspects might have had strong negative implications in the neighbouring countries. Acting under directives of Bettino Craxi, Italian prime minister, and Giulio Andreotti, foreign minister, Martini claims to have brokered the accord that lead to the peaceful transition of powers.[17]

Bettino Craxi had visited Algeri in November 1984, being warned by the president Chadli Benjedid that Algeria was ready to invade that region of Tunisia that was crossed by the pipeline towards Italy, if Bourguiba wasn't able to guarantee the stability of his own country. Algeria was trying to diversify his foreign policy, feeling isolated by Spain and by Mitterrand's accord with Morocco and Libya over Chad. For two years, according to Martini, Italian and Algerians secret services worked together in order, on one hand, to avoid that the growing destabilisation of Tunisia might spillover in Algeria, and on the other hand to control pro-palestinian terrorist activities in Italy. Finally, Ben Ali was singled out as possible replacement for Bourguiba: as chief of the Tunisian secret services and as Minister of Interiors, he had opposed plans for rough justice execution of fundamentalists. SISMI's action did not have the consent of René Imbot, head of the French secret service, and the USA were not informed. According to Martini, the SISMI didn't have an operational role in Ben Ali's raise to power, but organized a political move to support politically and economically his new government, avoiding that Tunisia might fell in an open confrontation with fundamentalists as would be in Algeria in the following years.[18]

Presidency

Politics

Large photogaphs of Ben Ali are found everywhere in Tunisia. Here at the Office of Merchant Navy and Ports building.

Tunisia held its first formally pluralistic legislative elections in 1994: opposition parties polled 2.25% and gained 19 of 163 seats in Parliament. Ben Ali, the only presidential candidate, was re-elected with 100% of the votes from a 95% turnout.[19]

In 1999, Tunisia held the first multiparty presidential election in its history, with three presidential candidates appearing on the ballot; Ben Ali gathered 99.4% of the votes delivering 148 of the 182 parliamentary seats.

A constitutional referendum in 2002 established a two-chambered parliament, creating the Chamber of Advisers, and amended the upper age limit for a presidential candidate to 75 years old (previously 70).[20][21]

Tunisia under Ben Ali saw problems with protecting human rights, such as freedom of the press, highlighted by the official treatment of the journalist Taoufik Ben Brik, who was harassed and imprisoned for his criticism of Ben Ali.[22]

On October 25, 2009, Ben Ali was re-elected for a fifth term with a 89% share of the vote.[23] The African Union sent a team of observers to cover the election. The delegation was led by Benjamin Bounkoulou who described the election as "free and fair".[24] However, a spokesperson from the US State Department indicated that Tunisia had not permitted monitoring of the election by international observers, but that the U.S. was still committed to working with the president of Tunisia and the Tunisian government.[25] There also were reports of mistreatment of an opposition candidate.[26]

In December 2010 and January 2011, riots over unemployment escalated into a widespread popular protest movement against Ben Ali's government. On January 13, 2011, he announced he would not run for another term in 2014, and pledged steps to improve the economy and press freedom. The following day, however, thousands demonstrated in the center of Tunis, demanding Ben Ali's immediate resignation. On January 14, 2011, Ben Ali reportedly[27] fled the country and a caretaker ruling committee headed by Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi was announced.

Economy

As president, Ben Ali championed economic reforms that strengthened Tunisia’s economy and increased foreign investment. Since he ascended to the office of President, Tunisia’s per capita GDP more than tripled from $1,201 in 1986 to $3,786 in 2008.[28] Although, growth in 2002 slowed to a 15-year low of 1.9% due to drought and lackluster tourism, better conditions after 2003 helped push growth to about 5% of GDP. For about 20 years after 1987, the GDP annual growth averaged nearly 5%. A report published in July 2010 by the Boston Consulting Group (“The African Challengers: Global Competitors Emerge from the Overlooked Continent”) listed Tunisia as one of the African "Lions" and indicated the eight African lions account for 70 percent of the continent’s gross domestic product.[29] Stable increases in GDP growth continued through positive trade relations with the European Union, a revitalized tourism industry and sustained agricultural production. Privatization, increasing foreign investment, improvements in government efficiency and reduction of the trade deficit presented challenges for the future.[30][31] The 2010-2011 Global Competitiveness Report (Davos World Economic Forum) ranked Tunisia first in Africa and 32nd globally out of 139 countries.[32]

According to the Oxford Business Group, Tunisia’s economy was likely to grow from 2008 due to its diversified industries.[33][34][35] Committed to fighting poverty at home, Ben Ali instituted reforms including the National Solidarity Fund which slashed the Tunisian poverty rate from 7.4% in 1990 to an estimated 3.8% in 2005. The National Solidarity Fund was part of a dual strategy to fight current and potential terrorism through economic assistance, development and the rule of law. The fund provided opportunities to those living in impoverished areas and are vulnerable to recruitment by terrorists. It was been a critical element in the fight against terrorism.[36]

However, Tunisia continued to suffer from a high unemployment, especially among youth. Left out of the recent prosperity were many rural and urban poor, including small businesses facing the world market. This and the blocking of free speech was the cause of mass protests in December 2010-January 2011. It was the worst unrest the country has faced for at least a decade.

Diplomacy

During Ben Ali’s presidency, Tunisia pursued a moderate foreign policy promoting peaceful settlement of conflicts. Tunisia took a middle of the road approach contributing to peacemaking especially in the Middle East and Africa. Tunisia hosted the first-ever Palestinian American dialogue. While contributing actively to the Middle East peace process, Tunisian diplomacy has supported the Palestinian cause. As host to the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1982–1993, considerable efforts were made to moderate the views of the organization.[37] Tunisia, since the early 90’s, called for a “concerted” international effort against terrorism. It was also a key US partner in the effort to fight global terrorism through the Trans-Saharan Counterterrorism Initiative.[38]

President Ben Ali mostly retained his predecessor's pro-western foreign policy, though he improved ties with the Arab-Muslim world. He took several initiatives to promote solidarity, dialogue and cooperation among nations. President Ben Ali initiated the creation of the United Nations World Solidarity Fund to eradicate poverty and promote social development based on the successful experience of the Tunisian National Solidarity Fund.[39][40] Ben Ali also played a lead role in the UN’s proclaiming 2010 as the International Year of Youth.[41]

Loss of power

In response to the 2010–2011 Tunisian protests, Ben Ali declared a state of emergency in the country, dissolved the government on 14 January 2011 and promised new legislative elections within six months. However, events moved quickly and it appears the armed forces and key members of the legislature had lost confidence in the president and had decided to take steps of their own. With power slipping from his grasp Ben Ali resigned the presidency at about 4pm local time and delegated prime minister Mohamed Ghannouchi to act as head of state during his "temporary" absence. With the army surrounding the Presidential Palace in Tunis and perhaps in fear of retribution, Ben Ali and close members of his family hastily fled in four helicopters bound for Malta. Other close associates who attempted to leave the country via Tunis-Carthage International Airport were prevented from doing so by the army who had seized the airport.

From Malta, Ben Ali initially headed to exile in France but his plane was prevented from landing in Paris by the French authorities.[42] It was reported by Le Monde that a plane carrying some members of his family did land at Paris. It appears that Ben Ali was forced to reconsider his options mid air and amid conflicting rumours that he was heading for either Doha or Dubai he eventually arrived in Saudi Arabia early on Saturday 15 January, where he was welcomed by the authorities.[1][43]

Succession confusions

At about 6pm local time, Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi went on state television to say:

"Since the president is temporarily unable to exercise his duties, it has been decided that the prime minister will exercise temporarily the (presidential) duties."[44]

However, this arrangement was very short lived because early the following day (Saturday 15 January 2011) the Constitutional Court of Tunisia determined that Ben Ali was not "temporarily unable" to exercise his duties and that the presidency was in fact vacant. The arrangements he had made with the Prime Minister before leaving the country were found to be unconstitutional under article 57 of the constitution. The country's constitutional court, the highest legal authority on constitutional issues, announced the transition on Saturday, saying Fouad Mebazaa (the Speaker of Parliament) had been appointed interim president.[45]

Mebazaa took the oath in his office in parliament, swearing to respect the constitution in the presence of his senate counterpart Abdallal Kallel and representatives of both houses. It was also also announced that the speaker of parliament would occupy the post of president temporarily and elections would be held within a period of between 45 and 60 days.[46]

Family

Ben Ali and his family were accused of great corruption,[47] which was a major contribution to recent events all across Tunisia protesting the theft of Tunisian wealth, and lack of opportunities for average Tunisians. Many of Ben Ali's family members subsequently left the country for reasons of personal safety[citation needed].

Ben Ali’s wife and Tunisia’s former first lady Leïla Ben Ali is the current chair of the Basma Association, a group that promotes social integration and provides employment opportunities for the disabled.[48] Leïla Ben Ali is also the president of the Arab Women Organization, that works to empower women to promote progress in Arab states.[49] In July 2010, the first lady founded the “SAIDA” Association (named after her late mother) to improve care for cancer patients in Tunisia.[50] Leïla Ben Ali has three children: Nesrine, Halima and Mohamed Zine El Abidine. Ben Ali also has three daughters from his first marriage: Ghazwa, Dorsaf and Cyrine.

References

  1. ^ a b "Tunisia: President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali forced out". BBC. 2011-01-14. Archived from the original on 2011-01-14. http://www.webcitation.org/5vkC6mFEY. Retrieved 2011-01-15. 
  2. ^ "A COUP IS REPORTED IN TUNISIA". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 7, 1987. ISSN 0362-4331. http://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/07/world/a-coup-is-reported-in-tunisia.html?pagewanted=1. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  3. ^ Yannick Vely (2009-11-23). "ParisMatch.com". ParisMatch.com. http://www.parismatch.com/Actu-Match/Monde/Actu/Ben-Ali-sans-discussion-139089/. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  4. ^ "Amnesty.org". Amnesty.org. http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/tunisia. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  5. ^ Freedom in the World (report)
  6. ^ "Protectionline.org". Protectionline.org. 2010-01-18. http://www.protectionline.org/Kamel-Jendoubi-Sihem-Bensedrine.html. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  7. ^ "RFI.fr". RFI.fr. 2004-12-16. http://www.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/053/article_27950.asp. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  8. ^ "RSF.org". RSF.org. http://www.rsf.org/Dans-le-monde-de-l-apres-11.html. Retrieved 2010-05-02. 
  9. ^ Google.com
  10. ^ "Biography". Tunisia Online. http://www.tunisiaonline.com/government/biography.html. Retrieved 11 November 2010. 
  11. ^ Ben Ali’s Biography: Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, President of the Tunisian Republic, Changement.tn
  12. ^ Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali Biography Biography.com
  13. ^ Tunisian Constitution United Nations, 2009.
  14. ^ Bourguiba Described in Tunis New York Times, November 9th, 1987
  15. ^ Republic of Tunisia Country Assistance Evaluation World Bank, September, 2004
  16. ^ Tunisian Constitution United Nations, 2009
  17. ^ "L'Italia dietro il golpe in Tunisia". Repubblica.it. http://www.repubblica.it/online/fatti/afri/tuni/tuni.html. Retrieved 2011-01-15. 
  18. ^ "Tunisia, il golpe italiano 'Si', scegliemmo Ben Ali". Repubblica.it. http://www.repubblica.it/online/fatti/afri/nigro/nigro.html. Retrieved 2011-01-15. 
  19. ^ "Arab Parliaments: Tunisia". United Nations Development Department. 2010. http://www.arabparliaments.org/countries/country.asp?cid=20. Retrieved October 14, 2010. 
  20. ^ "Tunisia Votes on Reforms". DPEPA/UNDESA. May 2002. http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan003704.pdf. Retrieved October 14, 2010. 
  21. ^ Win confirms Tunisia leader in power BBC News, 27 May 2002
  22. ^ "Two International Organizations Protest Ongoing Harassment of Tunisian Journalist | Human Rights Watch". Hrw.org. 2000-04-04. http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2000/04/04/two-international-organizations-protest-ongoing-harassment-tunisian-journalist. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 
  23. ^ "Tunisian Constitution". United Nations, Tunisian Government. 2009. http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/cafrad/unpan004842.pdf. Retrieved October 14, 2010. 
  24. ^ Tunisian president in fifth win, BBC News, October 26, 2009.
  25. ^ World datelines, Deseret News, Oct. 27, 2009
  26. ^ Opposition leader who gave TV interview in Paris is beaten by police on his return Menassat, October 1st, 2009
  27. ^ >EA WorldView Blog
  28. ^ UNdata Record View Per Capita GDP at Current Prices United Nations, August 10th, 2010
  29. ^ The African Challengers: Global Competitors Emerge from the Overlooked Continent The Boston Consulting Group, June 2010
  30. ^ Ben Ali’s Biography: Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, President of the Tunisian Republic Changement.tn, 2009
  31. ^ Country Coverage Tunisia Oxford Business Group, 2010
  32. ^ Global Competitiveness Index[dead link] World Economic Forum, 2010
  33. ^ Tunisia: Data The World Bank, 2008
  34. ^ Field Listing: Population Below Poverty Line CIA, The World Fact Book, 2005
  35. ^ National Solidarity Fund 2009
  36. ^ Terrorism in Tunisia Institute for Security Studies, June 1st, 2008
  37. ^ The Tunisian Model Jerry Sorkin, Middle East Quartlery, Fall 2001
  38. ^ The Report: Tunisia 2007: Country Profile Oxford Business Group, 2007
  39. ^ Tunisia’s President Ben Ali Seeks Solidarity in Fight to End Poverty Delinda C. Hanley, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, April, 2005
  40. ^ ECOSOC Endorses Decision to Establish World Solidarity Fund to Eradicate Poverty and Promote Social Development United Nations, 2003
  41. ^ Address by Mr. Samir Labidi United Nations, 2008
  42. ^ Al Jazeera, Tunisia Swears in Interim Leader 15.01.11
  43. ^ Ganley, Elaine; Charlton, Angela; Keaten, Jamey; Al-Shalchi, Hadeel (January 14, 2011). "Tunisian leader flees amid protests, PM takes over". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Associated Press. ISSN 1539-7459. http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/tunisian-pm-assumes-power-802911.html. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 
  44. ^ Al Jazeera, Tunisia Swears in Interim Leader, 15.01.2011
  45. ^ Al Jazeera, Tunisia Swears in Interim Leader, 15.01.2011
  46. ^ Al Jazeera, Tunisia Swears in Interim Leader, 15.01.2011
  47. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/world/africa/14tunisia.html?_r=2&hp
  48. ^ "BASMA Association for the Promotion of Employment of Disabled Persons". BASMA Association. 2010. http://www.basma.org.tn/publish/content/default.asp?Lang=en. Retrieved October 14, 2010. 
  49. ^ "First Lady Leila Ben Ali: Activities of the AWO Presidency". Arab Women Organization. 2009. http://www.awo-presidency.tn/en/. Retrieved October 14, 2010. 
  50. ^ "Association "Saida" de Lutte Contre le Cancer". SAIDA Assocation. http://www.aslc.org.tn/#. Retrieved October 14, 2010. 

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Rachid Sfar		 Prime Minister of Tunisia
1987		 Succeeded by
Hédi Baccouche
Preceded by
Habib Bourguiba		 President of Tunisia
1987–2011		 Succeeded by
Mohamed Ghannouchi
Acting
[show]v · d · ePresidents of Tunisia (List)
Habib Bourguiba  • Zine El Abidine Ben Ali  • Mohamed Ghannouchi (acting) • Fouad Mebazaa (acting)
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Grand Viziers
al-Tabi (1800-15) · Khoja (1822-29) · al-Taba'a (1829-37) · Mustapha Khaznadar (1837-73) · Pacha (1873-77) · Mohamed Khaznadar (1877-78) · Ben Ismail (1878-81) · Mohamed Khaznadar (1881-82) · Bouattour (1882-1907) · M. Djellouli (1907-08) · Djait (1908-15) · T. Djellouli (1915-22)
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Persondata
Name Ben Ali, Zine El Abidine
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth 3 September 1936
Place of birth Hammam-Sousse,
Date of death
Place of death

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