Public uprising in Tunisia puts Arab leaders on alert

In the past week, there have been major developments in the arab world that are deserving of attention:

Arab leaders meeting in Cairo agreed to implement a $2 billion program to revamp faltering economies across the region.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheik Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah decreed that free food rations be given to all Kuwaitis at a cost of $818 million. The sheik also ordered the government to give every Kuwaiti citizen a grant of $4,000.

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah promised to spend $68 billion next year on projects to reduce unemployment and spur growth.

In the Egyptian capital of Cairo, the Jordanian capital, Amman, and other capitals around the Arab world, leaders promised major initiatives to address the widespread discontent among the people over political repression, rising unemployment and skyrocketing food prices.

Did the dictators and autocratic ruling families suddenly wake up one morning to the realization that they were the cause of the pain and suffering of so many of their subjects? Were their actions an attempt to make amends for their sins?

Of course not. Last week’s announcements of the various initiatives they intend to launch were a direct response to the popular uprising in Tunisia that resulted in President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, his avaricious wife, and other members of his family fleeing the country. They are now in hiding in Saudi Arabia. Ben Ali was in power for 23 years and during time, enriched himself and those close to him, while ignoring the plight of the people. The comparatively modern country — it has a strong, educated middle class — reached its political boiling point last month when a 26-year-old unemployed man set himself on fire to protest the seizure by police of his produce cart. He did not have the required permits. That incident lit the flame of what is now called the “Jasmine Revolution,” resulting in thousands of Tunisians taking to the streets in protest of the government’s policies.

People without jobs, without food, without adequate housing and without hope had nothing to lose in standing up to Ben Ali’s dictatorial rule. They stood up to the heavily armed police and other forces. The death toll hit 100, with many more injured.

As the popular uprising brought the country to a standstill, the president and his entourage fled. His wife reportedly had tons of gold carted off to Saudi Arabia.

The toppling of a ruler of the police state sent shockwaves through the Arab world — especially after numerous incidents of self-immolation in Egypt, Mauritius and Algeria. Thousands have demonstrated in Jordan, Egypt, Oman, Libya and Yemen over the dire economic conditions that exist in those countries.

The dictators and ruling families are in self-preservation mode. They realize that with worldwide communication at peoples’ fingertips 24/7, uprisings can spread like wild fire. They are also undoubtedly distraught over the fact that the billions of dollars they have stolen from their countries and hidden in bank accounts in Switzerland and other so-called safe havens are at risk.

Major deposits

Swiss officials estimate that Tunisian government officials have deposited about $620 million in Swiss banks. The anti-corruption group, Transparency International France, and two associations have filed suit in Paris alleging corruption by Ben Ali and his wife.

Arab leaders know that the region is a political tinderbox, which is why they are moving quickly to address the many complaints of their citizens.