OPINION Vol.1, No.1 June 2013 - National Defence University

Introduction
ARAB UPRISING – A CRITICAL APPRAISAL
The Arab uprising that profoundly transformed the Middle East and North Africa originated from
Sidi Bouzid, a small town in Southern Tunisia on 17 December 2010, with the self-immolation of a
common young man as a protest against highhandedness of an abusive government official. Unable to
find a job, Mohammed Bouazizi, the breadwinner for his widowed mother and six siblings, was selling
fruit on a road side stand when a municipal inspector confiscated his wares. Within an hour, Bouazizi
drenched himself with fuel and self-immolated. 1
Within weeks of this event, thousands of young men and women took to the streets in many of
the Arab countries, chanting a common slogan “regime change.” The Arabs in all the countries were
protesting against their authoritarian regimes with a unified narrative and a deep sense of shared destiny.
The situation became rather dramatic, when every regime in Arab world proclaimed that their country
“was not Tunisia”. But every citizen in their country desired that “it was”.
Within less than a year, regimes were overthrown 2 in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Under
extreme pressure, King Abdullah of Jordan sacked two of his governments. Even in Saudi Arabia, the
women have finally been conceded the right to participate in 2015 municipal elections and the right to
drive. Significant changes to the existing order are also being contemplated in most of the other Arab
countries.
The Arab uprising of 2011, popularly known as “The Arab Spring” has a lot to do with
democracy and self-respect because the people have been victim of prolonged authoritarian rule which
deprived them of political empowerment, freedom 3 and social justice. The humiliation brought out on
them due to nepotism, lawlessness, corruption and abuse of power has finally precipitated in the form of
mass uprisings across the entire region 4 . The revolution has been orchestrated by men and women from
all walks of life. Aided by technology i.e. cell phones, social media, Facebook and Twitter, the educated
and globalized young generation of the Arab world has been the main driving force behind the uprising.
The Arab uprisings have been profoundly appreciated all over the world. However, there has
been skepticism and nervousness in the West as to what will finally emerge out of such extra ordinary
political events. Is the world going to witness complete political and economic transformation in the Arab
countries in line with the aspirations of Arab people or will it lead to emergence of extremist tendencies
and formation of Islamist governments or regimes. This article aims to carry out critical appraisal of Arab
uprising with a view to analyzing its impact on the Arab world and determining lessons for Pakistan.
Defining the Historic Moment
For in-depth analysis of Arab uprisings, first there is a need to identify the phenomenon which
engulfed the entire region within a few weeks of its eruption. Was it a revolution, rebellion, uprising,
popular protest or could it be called as Arab Spring 5 . While some observers foresee a brewing revolution
with the potential to completely reshape the political order, the others are skeptical about the final
outcome and true democratic change. Yet another view point is that the mass movements are agenda
driven by the West which may lead to a new political order still dominated by the West.
Whatever the outcome, the mass protest movements in the Arab world cannot be termed as
revolution because complete political order and socio economic system has not been fully altered even in
the countries where the governments have been replaced such as Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Also,
keeping in view the magnitude of protests across entire Arab world, it is equally improbable that the
events were engineered through the hidden agenda of the west. With unfinished agenda, it is appropriate
to term the mass movements which swept across Middle East and North Africa as “Uprisings” with
common aspirations of all men and women of rejecting economic and political deprivation forced upon
them by their authoritarian regimes.
Chronology of Events in Different Arab Countries
Tunisia
Self-immolation of Muhammad Bouazizi in Sidi Bouzaid, led to violent protests during Dec
2010 which ultimately resulted in overthrow of President, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on 14 January 2011
terminating his 23 years rule. The main causes 6 of the protests included Police highhandedness and
OPINION Vol.1 No.1 53 June 2013