2011 Tunisian protests

The 2011 Tunisian protests began as a reaction to widespread economic hardship, government corruption, and unemployment. The immediate trigger was the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor protesting police harassment. His act sparked mass demonstrations calling for political reform and an end to authoritarian rule under President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The protests grew rapidly, leading to Ben Ali’s resignation and exile after 23 years in power. The movement inspired similar uprisings across the Arab world, known as the Arab Spring, and marked Tunisia’s transition towards greater political freedoms and democratic governance.