TUNIS // They became figures of hate during the Arab Spring revolution, but stalwarts of Tunisia’s ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali are planning a comeback in this month’s elections.
The polls, seen as a milestone in the transition from Ben Ali’s more than two decades in power, come nearly four years after the self-immolation of a Tunisian street vendor sparked protests that spread around much of the region.
Several parties headed by Ben Ali sympathisers are fielding candidates for parliamentary elections on October 26, and six former regime officials are contesting a November 23 presidential poll.
They include Beji Caid Essebsi, 87, a veteran Ben Ali cadre who was parliamentary speaker in the early 1990s and served as an interim premier after the 2011 revolution.
For many Tunisians like Chokri Mizouri, the return of the political establishment of the Ben Ali years is a “provocation” for people who participated in the uprising.
Ben Ali-era officials “who left through the back door are climbing back in through the window”, said Mr Mizouri, 22, a student.
“They should be ashamed of themselves and should not stand on the basis of their experience because their experience is that of corruption and dictatorship.
“And it will be a catastrophe if one of them becomes president because it would restart the machine that we revolted against.”
Many of the Ben Ali sympathisers have spent the past few years trying to play down their role under the former leader, who ruled for more than two decades.
Former transport minister Abderrahim Zouari was arrested after the revolution and accused of corruption, but later released with no charge.
He admitted the previous government made “many mistakes”.
“We know these mistakes, and the statesman is someone who recognises his faults and makes up for them,” Mr Zouari said, insisting he was now determined to “move the country forward”.
Kamel Morjane, a former foreign minister, apologised in 2011 “for having accepted to serve” under Ben Ali, and has downplayed his responsibilities under the old regime.
One-time health minister Mondher Zenaidi fled Tunisia after the uprising, only returning last month to much fanfare among supporters who gathered at the airport to welcome him home.
While many oppose their return, some Tunisians fed up with the insecurity that has gripped the country since the uprising believe a former regime strongman could help restore stability.
“The Ben Ali regime was corrupt and oppressive but the people could at least find food to eat,” said Karima Ben Hamida, a university graduate who has been unemployed for five years.
“Personally, between a presidential candidate from the troika (government) and the ‘azlem’ (members of Ben Ali’s inner circle), I would choose the latter.”
Ben Ali, 78, held on to power for 23 years, combining authoritarian rule with a degree of prosperity and stability for his people.
His escape to Saudi Arabia in January 2011 saved him the humiliation of standing in the dock to answer charges that initially covered possession of drugs and weapons, and were later extended to murder and torture.
He was sentenced to life in prison in his absence.
No top official who served under him is currently in prison.
A law that would have excluded members of the former regime from elections was rejected by an interim parliament dominated by the moderate Islamist Ennahda party, which has appealed for reconciliation.
“We have seen for ourselves the eradication policy in Iraqi, which has led to political exclusion there as well as in Libya,” Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi said.
* Agence France-Presse
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Recycle Reuse Repurpose
New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors
Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site
Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area
Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent organic waste and 13 per cent general waste.
About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor
Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:
Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled
Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays
Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters
Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill
Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
MATCH INFO
Maratha Arabians 107-8 (10 ovs)
Lyth 21, Lynn 20, McClenaghan 20 no
Qalandars 60-4 (10 ovs)
Malan 32 no, McClenaghan 2-9
Maratha Arabians win by 47 runs
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Company%20Profile
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Everton 1 Stoke City 0
Everton (Rooney 45 1')
Man of the Match Phil Jagielka (Everton)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
On sale now
