Late Beji Caid Essebsi, the oldest African president and first Tunisia’s elected president after its 2011 pro-democracy uprising has been buried on Saturday 27th July 2019. President Essebsi died on Thursday 25th July in a military hospital in Tunis after a brief illness. The 92-year-old president was reportedly hospitalized thrice in recent weeks before his death.
After the announcement of his death, the country immediately set in motion the process of picking Essebsi’s successor. Tunisia’s electoral commission chose September 15, a new date for the country election that will produce another Tunisia’s elected president. It was originally scheduled for November 17th. The parliamentary vote has been set for October 6th, 2019. In the meantime, Mohamed Ennaceur, head of Tunisia’s National Assembly, has been sworn in as interim president. He is to temporarily serve the country for the period of 45 to 90 days or until a new president is elected.
Meanwhile, a seven-day national mourning season has been declared by the Prime Minister, Youssef Chahed to mourn the departed president. The flags at state organizations have been lowered to half-mast and will remain so through the mourning season. Sporting and cultural events in the country have also been paused till future days.
Jordan and Lebanon and other Arab countries joined Tunisia to mourn by announcing multiple days of mourning. Other nations sent condolences to Tunisia. The demise president was described as a loss of a competent leader who led over his country at an essential moment in its. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the late president as “a pivotal figure, African trailblazer and global leader”. Essebsi was instrumental in effectively plotting the course of the country through its historic and peaceful transition to democracy.”
President Essebsi journey to fame began after the nationwide protest and overthrow of a 23-year dictator, Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. The Arab Spring uprisings against dictators across the Middle East followed. He was appointed Tunisia’s interim leader after protests and in 2014, the became the elected president. The election that brought him to power was first Tunisia’s free and fair elections.
Before his presidential appointment, Essebsi had served in various positions. He was the foreign minister under Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia’s first post-independence leader. He was also head of the parliament under Ben Ali.
Today, Tunisia is the only self-governing and democratic success of the Arab Spring uprisings. It has a new constitution, conducts free elections and a coalition government amidst all its struggles.
