Tunisia’s slow unravelling: From Arab Spring beacon to police state

Just over a decade ago, Tunisia was the brightest light of the Arab Spring—the rare case where mass protest led to a peaceful transition and hopes for real democracy. Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation in 2010 triggered a revolution that toppled Ben Ali’s regime and inspired uprisings across the region. Tunisia’s 2011 transition raised hopes for freedom, rights, and accountable governance. Today, that promise feels distant. The country is sliding back into authoritarianism under President Kais Saied—once seen as a reformer, now ruling by decree and dismantling democratic checks. For many Tunisians, he remains both a saviour and a threat, embodying the contradictions of a nation caught between revolution and repression. The Rise of Kais Saied: Populist Saviour or Strongman?  Kais Saied’s […]