Tunisia: two declarations from "committees for the defence of the revolution"

Submitted by AWL on 1 February, 2011 - 2:05

Founding declaration of a local and regional council to protect the revolution and organise public affairs (extracts) - originally published on the French New Anticapitalist Party website

Siliana, 16/01/2011
[…] We call for the continuation of the struggle and the mobilisation against manoeuvres which aim to take over our intifada and instrumentalise the blood of our martyrs.
We reject the installation of Mebazaa (president of the Parliament) and the decision to give to Ghannouchi (former Prime Minister under Ben Ali) the mission of forming a provisional government basing itself on an illegal constitution and an unrepresentative parliament.
We consider all unity with the murderers and the corrupt a scandalous blow against the revolution and a miserable ploy which our people will wipe out. We also call for living forces to take the place which belongs to them, in the bosom of the masses, and to assume their historical, moral and political responsibilities.
And, given the administrative vacuum in the Wilaya [administrative district] of Siliana, given the flight of most of the regional bureaucrats and local corrupt politicians affiliated to the RCD party, in the face of the popular demand that they hand over their judicial records,
We declare a public election:
• of a local council for the protection of the revolution and the management of town affairs
• of a regional council for the protection of the revolution and the management of district affairs

for the management of affairs in the town and the Wilaya on the local and regional level and co-ordination on the national level until the drafting of a new Constitution guaranteeing rights for all political currents in the nation [garantissant les les droits de toutes les sensibilités nationales] and the election of a new representative, popular parliament.
The carrying out of these tasks and plans will be entrusted to members of the councils elected in consultation with the grassroots.
Long live the struggles of our people on the road to freedom and dignity!

Translated from Arabic to French by Mohamed Amami

Founding declaration of local provisional council to manage the affairs of the town of Sidi Bou Ali
Following the decision to give Mohamed Ghannouchi the task of forming a new government to organise new presidential elections in the country;
In light of the administrative and managerial vacuum in the towns of Sidi Bou Ali, in the Sousse Wilaya [district];
We, citizens of the town of Sidi Bou Ali, gathered in the “People’s Square”, declare:
• We reject the decision based on an antidemocratic and unpopular constitution, which does not guarantee the rights of all political tendencies in our country;
• We refuse the domination of the ruling party and its continued control of the political life of the country, via its symbols and its flunkies in the government;
• We will publicly elect a temporary local council to manage the affairs of the town and to work in the framework of regional and national co-ordination in order to restore normal functioning in civil, economic, cultural and political life in the country until a new constitution for a popular and democratic society opens the way for elections to assure the peaceful devolution of power with no monopoly; and watch to see that it represents all national parties.
The functions of the council will be:
• The formation of security committees to protect neighbourhoods
• Helping to re-start everyday economic life and assure the necessities of everyday life for citizens
• Ensure the re-opening of civil insitutions (banks, hospitals, municipalities, schools, institutes, etc.)
• Ensure the cleanliness of the town
• Co-ordinate with local and regional councils
• Communicate and ensure links with the national army as that is now the only institution which is watching over the country.
We are decided to divide ourselves into the following committees:
• Committee for propaganda and media
• Committee for communication with the national army
• Committee for the protection of neighbourhoods
• Committee for municipal hygiene
• Committee for logistics
• Committee for information, orientation and culture

This website uses cookies, you can find out more and set your preferences here.
By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.