THE ACTION THAT TRIGGERS UPRISING IN AFRICA

MOHAMMED BOUAZIZI

THE ACTION THAT TRIGGERS UPRISING IN AFRICA

On December 17th 2010, 26 year old Tunisian born Mohammed Bouazizi reached his limit. The breadwinner of his family of eight (8) was unable to find a better job then went into trading of vegetable; bananas and apples. On Dec 17 his livelihood was threatened when a police woman confiscated his unlicensed vegetable cart and its goods, he was also aware of corrupt officials demand for bribes. Not satisfied with accepting the 10-dinar fine Bouazizi tried to pay, some witnesses say the police woman allegedly slapped the young man, spat in his face and insulted his dead father.

Humiliated, enraged and dejected Mohammed Bouazizi went to a nearby government provincial headquarters to complain but they refuse to see him. At 11:30am less than one hour after the confrontation with the police woman, without telling his family he was reported shouting “how do you expect me to make a living?” after dousing himself and set himself on fire.  

Mohammed Bouazizi desperate act resonated with the people of Tunisia and the Arab world. There was wild spread mass protest across the country; the people demanded the resignation of president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, the dictator whom has rule Tunisia for over 23 years. There was much outrage over his ordeal worldwide that even president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali the dictator visited Bouazizi in the hospital to try blunt the anger of the people, but the outcry could not be suppressed on January 14 just ten days after Bouazizi died, Ben Ali 23 years rule of Tunisia was over.

“Mohammed did what he did for the sake of his dignity” says his mother, Monnoubia “I am proud of my son although I am in mourning and I am sad, but thanks to God Mohammed lives on, he didn’t die” she says resolutely. I am proud of what happened in Tunis, I am proud that he is now throughout the Arab world. His aunt Radia Bouazizi says his dream was to save enough money to be able to rent or buy a pickup truck “he would come home tired after pushing the cart around all day. All he wanted was a pickup. Instead he started a revolution. The European parliament awarded Bouazizi and four others the 2011 Sakhror prize for freedom of thought. The times of London named him its 2011 person of the year. We were silent but Mohammed showed us that we must react “was he destined for greatness?