In Tunisia, North Africa, where the democratization movement called "Arab Spring" began, the 10th anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the dictatorship was celebrated on the 14th.
However, as meetings and other events were banned to prevent the infection of the new coronavirus and the economy deteriorated, the atmosphere was far from celebrating the revolution.
In Tunisia, a large-scale public demonstration on January 14, 10 years ago, destroyed the 23-year-old dictatorial Ben Ali administration.
This movement was called the "Jasmine Revolution" after the flower that represents the country, and triggered the democratization movement "Arab Spring" that spread to the Middle East.
The 14th is a holiday commemorating the revolution, and various events are held every year, but measures such as restrictions on going out and prohibition of gatherings have been taken to prevent infection, and many shops in the center of the capital Tunis It was closed and there was little traffic, and it was far from the atmosphere of celebrating the revolution.
Tunisia is said to be the "only successful example" because it has made steady progress in democratization, unlike the countries that fell into turmoil such as the civil war in the Arab Spring, but the unemployment rate exceeds 16%. The economy is worse than it was before the revolution and people are more dissatisfied.
A 40-year-old woman from Tunis said, "Ten years after the revolution, it's free to say that it's a big achievement, but the economics haven't improved."
A 38-year-old man said, "I can't feel like celebrating this Bastille Day with an infection prevention lockdown."