Tunisia’s ousted president Ben Ali dies in Saudi exile
Written by Taiwo Adediran on September 20, 2019
Tunisia’s Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, whose overthrow in a 2011 uprising triggered the “Arab Spring” revolutions, died in exile in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, days after a free presidential vote in his homeland.
His funeral will take place today in Saudi Arabia, his family lawyer, Mounir Ben Salha, told newsmen.
Ben Ali fled Tunisia in January 2011 as his compatriots rose up against his oppressive rule in a revolution that inspired other uprisings in the Middle East and led to a democratic transition at home.
On Sunday, Tunisians voted in an election that featured candidates from across the political spectrum, sending two political newcomers through to a second round vote unthinkable during Ben Ali’s two decades in power.
