TUNIS: Tunisians on Sunday mar­ked seven years since the uprising that launched the Arab Spring, with fresh protests after days of unrest over persisting poverty and unemployment.

The North African country is seen as having had a relatively smooth democratic transition since the Jan 14, 2011 toppling of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali after 23 years in power.

But seven years later, anger has risen over new austerity measures after a year of rising prices, with protests again chanting the 2011 slogans of “Work, Freedom, Dignity”.

On Sunday, hundreds gathered in the capital Tunis, responding to calls to protest from a powerful labour union and several political parties.

Security was tight as protesters poured through checkpoints into the capital’s Habib Bourguiba Avenue, which was the epicentre of the 2011 protests.

Demonstrators chanted against “poverty and hunger” as they marched up the avenue, accusing “thieves” of having stolen the country.

Outside the offices of the powerful UGTT trade union, demonstrator Foued el-Arbi waved an empty basket marked 2018. “This empty basket sums up our situation seven years after the revolution,” said the philosophy professor.

A wave of peaceful protests and night-time unrest hit cities and towns across the country this past week, after hikes in value-added tax and social security contributions introduced in early January.

The interior ministry says it has arrested more than 800 people suspected of taking part in violence, theft and looting since the start of the unrest.

Protester demands have included a review of the 2018 austerity budget and more efficient measures to fight enduring corruption.

More than 1,000 people took part in the protest outside the UGTT offices.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2018