Notes on the new Arab rebellions

Algeria, Tunisia and Sudan have again mobilized massively. Give off the aroma of a new spring. The process developed between the Arab Spring 2011 and the 2013, It was a revolution that began in Tunisia and quickly spread to Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya and Syria. With different intensities and rhythms encompassed 14 countries of North Africa and the Middle East. It was the first great wave of rebellion in the Arab world of the XXI century. We claim to eat, work and out of poverty synchronized with the need to overthrow governments and dictatorial regimes, entrenched in power for decades. The situation became unbearable for the great majority.

Tunisia Ben Ali fell, Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and elsewhere there were changes and limited concessions. Nevertheless, in most cases not the wave culminated in the widespread fall of governments, regimes, the conquest of democratic freedoms and social rights. Along left teachings and a sample of the unruly force of the mass movement. The enormous difficulty of the powerful to defeat definitively and categorically those who struggle in the world.

Governments and regimes not lost to the ravages popular retook the initiative. They repressed the people in general and minorities in particular. Exploit and impoverish the needy with the accomplice came from the great powers. There are real human tragedies of mass immigration and refugees, such as the war in Syria, under the rule of the brutal dictator Bachar al Asad.

Images will change the Arab peoples toured the world as a great example of struggle. Nevertheless, they encountered a qualitative limitation: the absence of consistent processes leading revolutionary leaderships, which again placed white on black gigantic contradiction between the existence of heroic movements that get limited results.
questions

Late 2018 and early 2019 They have massively mobilized the people of Tunisia, Algeria and Sudan, no political crisis in Egypt, schemes in other countries are socially challenged and economic situation becomes untenable for millions of people. There is a political and social cocktail that temperature again begins to lift.

Given this reality might wonder Is it a new moment of the Arab Spring in which people take up the offensive? Or are we in the presence of a new process? We will review the situation of some countries to comment on current and perspective.
Algeria, against the power "eternal"

In 1999, after the end of government Zeroual, Abdelaziz Bouteflika ran as an independent candidate for presidential elections. He did it with a program of national reconciliation with the Islamists and won the support of the FLN, He won with more than 75,9% of votes.

Over time, Bouteflika took advantage of the popular credit acting as if everything were permitted. It was empowered to amend the Constitution and perpetrated in power, He curtailed democratic freedoms with repression and imprisonment. In the most privileged under took absolute control of the country's wealth for depredarlas and squander the product of looting. Blatant government corruption was rife, Mafia in power and IMF mandates wreaked havoc on the working people. Institutions took effect criterion "To get rich quickly and reign for a long time”. The public has been destroyed and neglected society, mainly from Bouteflika's third term.

After 20 year rule, surfaced ad nauseam and large mobilizations. while Bouteflika, from 82 years, he was admitted to the University Hospital of Geneva, thousands of people, mainly students, They took to the streets and called for general strike, generating cracks in government allies. The regime is weaker than ever.

By the time the government did not fall, but, accusing the coup mobilization, He has announced that his fifth term president can not postulate. The measure is riddled with traps to stay in power. He has promised to convene a national "inclusive and independent" conference to launch the "transformation process" with a draft new constitution, but elections for 18 April were postponed with no new date of completion and the formation of a government composed of members of the national conference.
The fighting continues, even already it has repercussions in France, old imperialist master, Macron which claims to be the nurse Bouteflika clamoring for a "Reasonable transition period" 1. when the Algerian people and Bouteflika poses outside!

On the web page Anticapitalists Network we have published two notes on Algeria: "When a people rises" 2 Y "The mass movement in Algeria, the question of the program " 3

Tunisia, restarting

He 17 from December to 2010, the young Mohamed Bouazizi, it burned to bonzo after the police confiscated the fruit cart that held with his family and left him in extreme poverty. It was the beginning of the fall of the tyrant Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and the Arab Spring.

In December 2018 the drama was repeated when Abderrazak Zorgui blew himself, from 32 years , journalist precarious labor situation. He previously wrote on social networks: "I'm tired of broken promises", "There are people who have absolutely nothing. There are regions without a hard. There are people who are dead, even if they are alive ", "I'll just protest. I will immolate and if someone comes to finding a job because of me, I will be happy ... Maybe the state will react ".

He said the situation of a generation of young people without prospects for the future. Until November 2018 They occurred 434 suicide or attempted it, of men aged 26 Y 35 years. "This is a suicide protest. Without attention or support from the Government, political parties or unions, Many young people feel completely helpless and feel that their body is their only recourse for protest ", said sociologist Abdesattar Sahbani. Poverty and unemployment are structural cancer of capitalism.

It is no coincidence that the drama has been repeated suicide or that retook intensity protests. After the events of 2011 It began one "Democratic transition" he saw seven governments spend. Well, It has not changed much in terms of unsatisfied basic needs of Tunisians, unemployed youth in particular. An example are called Diplomés chomeurs (unemployed graduates), who spend years without employment or precarious work.

This is also expressed repeated protests by lawyers, teachers, carriers, state workers and other social sectors that have encircled the government of Joussef Chahed, amid a deep political and social crisis. further, There are demonstrations gender equality and defense of the LGBTIQ community, since by Article 230 Penal Code homosexuality is punishable by up to three years in prison.

From the 2012 the purchasing power of workers was shrinking year after year, salary increases were derisory, always well below inflation. The salary of a teacher varies between 900 and the 1.300 dinars (between 265 Y 380 euros). Polarization was expressed in education where there were parents who demonstrated against demonstrations and strikes teachers.

In 2016 the IMF granted a loan to Tunisia for almost 2.500 millions of euros, low demand to reduce the public deficit, that is to say, the wage bill intended for state workers. So they stopped hiring, increases and wage cuts were applied. The main victims are few 3.000 interim, whose salary is just over 250 dinars per month (some 75 euros). For those who have a tenured, the salary is between 265 Y 380 euros, frozen in recent years, with inflation approaching the 8% Annual and devaluation of the Tunisian dinar. In 2019 Fund tightened their conditions worsened the basic needs of the population. International usurers are the protagonists of many of the great social dramas that have suffered different peoples of the world.

The UGTT union of one million members, It is the most powerful of the Arab world and has become the main opposition, calling demonstrations and strikes. In the absence of a strong alternative revolutionary left, The union is also politically postulated, It is seen as a defender of workers and popular sectors. Although the UGTT spent months calling for the resignation of the government, now calls for a change in economic policy and raises participate in upcoming elections. Its leaders openly support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. This union power is one of the facts of reality.

Economic problems and poverty of the great majority are deepened within the framework of capitalism and adjustment plans ordered by international usurers. Since the government is repressed workers, severely restrict democratic freedoms and gender. Plenty of reasons for a restart of the Arab Spring Tunisian.

Sudan, bread and freedom

Sudan suffers inflation 70% and extreme poverty. It went from exporting agricultural products to suffer a strong external dependency. In 2011 He ran out three-quarters of its oil reserves after the independence of South Sudan.

As part of a bad situation for the survival of the Sudanese dropped the straw that broke the camel. For several weeks there was a shortage of bread and 18 December, the government of Omar al Bashir decided to increase the price: one to three Sudanese pounds (6 eurocents). The day after the decree know erupted a wave of demonstrations against the high cost and the resignation of the president in power since 30 years for coup. To eat and have democracy, basic needs, It is necessary to make great rebellions.
The outbreak began in Port Sudan and Atbara, spread like wildfire in Omdurman, Khartoum (capital), Al-Gadaref, Dongola and other locations, in which protesters burned National Congress party headquarters. He even Darfur, where a long conflict has caused more than 300.000 dead and 2,4 million displaced.

In 2013, with the Arab Spring as a backdrop, there had been large demonstrations led by the student movement. At present students and young people also participate actively, but it has gained prominence Sudanese Professionals Association, composed of doctors, engineers, teachers or mechanics who have joined opposition groups persecuted by government repression.
The government declared a curfew in the affected cities, He deployed the army and the police. Only in the first 24 hours repression killed eight people. The Government recognizes at least 30 dead, 381 arrested; while the opposition claims more than 50 dead and 800 arrested. As will be brutal repression Al Bashir himself who ordered, cynically he went to ask the agents a moderate use of force.

It is recalled that it is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, Darfur conflict. On an international level, the regime is moderately criticized by the imperialist bloc of the European Union and counts as allies with Russia, China, Syria, Qatar and Egypt, among others.

Repression has cheats ons. The president has repeatedly stated that will not leave power, harshly criticizing the movement that considers a harmful new Arab Spring. To achieve continuity, clings to the support of the military and political deceptions of openness and dialogue. From a speech in mid-February has raised: "Announced the imposition of emergency rule throughout the country for a year and the dissolution of the Government of National Consensus and the dissolution of the governments of the states." He proposed the formation of new government, without date, with "A dialogue" and that Parliament postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to be a candidate in April 2020.

The truth is that so far has not succeeded in stopping the new spring wave nor repression or deceit. Professionals Association raised responded Sudan: "Al Bashir's speech we are not interested. It is the second of salvation. Our only goal is the fall of the regime and give authority to a national government immediately ". He stressed that they will not withdraw from the streets "Until the points are met" their demands, first "The withdrawal of Omar al Bashir and his regime unconditionally". He called back to the streets to demonstrate that "The regime is collapsing".

The opposition has developed a transition plan four years "Begins with the ouster of Al Bashir and the implementation of a national unity government with the aim of reconciliation and signing peace with the various armed groups facing the regime of Al Bashir. The transition should lead to a reform of the constitution and the holding of free and transparent elections ".

On Tuesday 5 March began with a general strike 24 hours as part of the "Peaceful resistance" to the government. As usual when the people protest, power accuses the protests are the work of foreign powers "Malignant", and he has sworn to stop them. The fight is ongoing.

Highlights

For the moment, the mobilizing impulse reaches three of the 14 countries leading the Arab Spring 2011, we'll see how far. In the meantime, It is valid to some observations that help develop a revolutionary policy.

Relationship. Among the mobilizations 2011 and today there are commonalities related to extreme poverty which capitalism and their governments submit to villages, subordinate to the orders of the IMF and the policies of the great powers. And there is a correlation in tyrannies, democratic freedoms and human rights, severely curtailed.

Prehistory. In addition to the workers and the poor, another target permanent attack are women and sexual minorities. Gender rights are violated to the extreme, victims of institutional violence archaic legislation based on religious precepts.

Carrot and stick. In most cases there are governments and dictatorial regimes, whether they have come to power through voting or blows. And pretend to remain in power by force or by amending the Constitution to be "reappointed", under the Armed Forces, proscriptions and persecutions that impede the realization of democratic and transparent elections.

It is not the last word. Sudan struggles, Tunisia and Algeria are ongoing and their results are not determined in advance. We will see if the spring greening spreads or not, knowing that the social and political unrest exceeds the aforementioned countries, thereby can not rule out an effect of contagion. It is essential to support the people rebel actions and international solidarity campaigns, against tyrants, its political and economic partners.

Imperialismo decadent. Africa remains a victim of the looting of the world imperialist powers, expansion plans and political influence, internal wars and external interference. The IMF wreaks havoc on the people, ordering wild settings and inventing usurious debts. Also it serves the imperialist bloc of the European Union. Theft of wealth and exploitation expressed anti-human action adds to immigrants.

immigrants. Thousands of Arabs of African origin, among whom are children alone, women and the elderly, They risk their lives and die trying to cross the Mediterranean in makeshift boats. 4
While they are fleeing hunger, the misery, repression and wars, They are prevented from entering Europe, returned to their countries of origin or received dropper in appalling conditions to be exploited as cheap labor. So they act "advanced democracies humanity" with governments and / or political right.

changeability. The experiences of Arab societies are diverse, with according to social classes and the tensions of the fight. a range of realities appears in governments and regimes: monarchies, califatos, tyrannies, Islamic governments (Government of divine laws on societies) and false democracies, in which you vote only authorized beforehand options. There are political and social situations that are not dominant in the "nation state."

White on black. Beyond is the permanent respect of the capitalist system. Thus a problem of humanity in the Manifesto agreed between Anticapitalists Network and expressed Turkey PST: "The capitalist system constantly demonstrates that it is not able to overcome the economic crisis, imperialist wars and rising class struggle. The imperialist system attacks the rights of workers, stir ethnic and religious massacres around the world, perpetrates invasions, fortifies fascist parties, abandons democratic rights, advances in environmental destruction of the planet and put in power sexist leaders, homophobic, nationalists, religious and authoritarian to try to overcome its crisis and current stalemate ".

With the method of the Transitional Program. The strategy to achieve workers' governments and the people, with workers' democracy regimes, and free associations between different peoples. In that way, the method of the Transitional Program is a great tool when formulating the response of the Socialist Revolutionaries. There are unavoidable points raised: Enough of repression, prison and death, Freedom of political prisoners, Punishment policy makers and security forces, Simply setting, hunger and poverty, Outside the IMF, usurers and exploiters, Down governments and dictatorial regimes, Outside the imperialist powers foreign, Enough of war between sister nations. Constituents may become important processes as and when they are imposed by the masses, with broad popular participation to discuss and decide all democratically, not as a trap of power to make partial changes that do not change anything of substance and pursue the sole purpose of perpetuating in power.

Urgent. Counter to the brutality of imperialist governments and powers there are social sectors that choose to support Islamic State. Is a false choice that seeks to establish political institutions based on religious precepts. EI terrorist methods go against the objectives they are pursuing release.

The will to change the mass movement still can not find an alternative, a new address that Encause towards a bottom outlet. This is a component that is repeated and continues heightening the need to build anti-capitalist policy tools left, and revolutionary socialist party with mass weight, At national and international level. They are the great tasks that we assume from Anticapitalists PST networking and Turkey on the way to founding a new international organization 5.

Ruben Tzanoff

1-http://www.lacommune.org/Parti-des-travailleurs/Lettre-d-infos/Honneur-et-gloire-au-Peuple-algerien-qui-combat-pour-tous-les-peuples-i1846.html
2-http://anticapitalistasenred.org/2019/03/07/algerie-quand-un-peuple-se-souleve/
3-http://anticapitalistasenred.org/2019/03/06/argelia-el-movimiento-de-masas-en-argelia-la-cuestion-del-programa/
4-http://anticapitalistasenred.org/2018/06/19/inmigrantes-y-refugiados-en-crisis-humanitaria/
5-http://anticapitalistasenred.org/2019/02/09/un-llamado-a-la-unidad-de-los-socialistas-revolucionarios/

reproduced from Anticapitalist Network | 18.3.2019