March 20, 1956 is the day when Tunisia achieved independence from France. The long struggle was started in 1907 by The Young Tunisian Party, recognised as the first independence movement. The call for freedom went on experiencing difficult and suppressive times yet the people through different movements, the likes of the Destour (Constitutional Liberal Party founded in 1920) and later the Neo Destour (New Constitutional Liberal Party founded in 1934), had just one goal in mind: to liberate Tunisia from French colonial control.

Independence from France, effective in March 1956, was negotiated largely by the Neo Destour, and the next year the Republic replaced the Beylical, a different small tribal groups form of government. In 1957 Tunisia abolished the monarchy which had been the system of rule since 1705 to become a one party state, with Neo Destour as the ruling party under Prime Minister and then President Habib Bourguiba.

In 1964 during the socialist phase of political-economic development under President Bourguiba the Neo Destour party was renamed the Socialist Destourian Party (PSD) to change name again to become Rassemblement Constitutionel Démocratique (RCD) which under President Ben Ali became increasingly dictatorial, bringing about high unemployment, food inflation, corruption, a lack of freedom of speech and other political freedoms, and poor living conditions.

Mohamed Bouazizi, the street vendor who set himself on fire on 17 December 2010 sparked an intensive campaign of civil resistance, including a series of street demonstrations which led to the ousting of longtime President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali who stepped down on 14 January, 2011, after 23 years in power. The success of the Tunisian protests inspired uprisings in several other Arab countries, people revolutions which became known as the Arab Spring.

The overthrow of President Ben Ali saw also the abolition of the one party system which eventually led to a thorough democratisation of the country and to free and democratic elections, to a Constituent Assembly on 23 October, 2011, which saw the victory of a coalition of the Islamic Ennahda Movement with the Centre-Left Congress for the Republic and the Left-leaning Ettakatol as junior partners.

Reflecting on the past 56 years since Independence from France, the 20 March of 2012 signified a true sense of freedom for all the people of Tunisia. And yes, in such an environment how very truthful are the words of a famous poem written two centuries ago by poet Abou Kacem Chebbi, which became the national anthem of Tunisia, when he wrote:

“When the people want to live, destiny has to respond.

Darkness will disappear, chains will certainly break!”

I asked Souad Gueblaoui, Ambassador of Tunisia to Malta, for her opinion on such a reflection?

“The emotional sense of these words, sung when Tunisia achieved its independence from France in 1956, was echoed during the popular revolt last year. Actually, the Tunisian People is convinced that it gained its independence for the second time in 2011, from a dictatorial regime that created a situation of mass unemployment, social injustice, poverty, lack of basic freedoms and huge corruption.

Today, Tunisia is writing a new page of its History.

Fourteen months after the Jasmine Revolution, we observe that security and public order have been re-established in most areas of the country. Democratic elections took place peacefully in October 2011 to elect a Constitutional Assembly in charge of drawing up a new Constitution. Last December, a transitional President of the Republic was elected and a provisional government was installed.”

After such a historical transformation what lies ahead?

“Tunisia’s experience of revolution has been difficult and this transitional period is not an easy one. The present government is aware that the next period will be crucial for the country. The “to do” list includes the restart of the economic machine, quick actions to increase investment and development projects, in order to help bring down unemployment and bridge the gaps in development between various regions.”

Is success attainable?

“Despite the challenges, we remain confident that the Tunisian experience will be marked by success because the right ingredients are there. Among these strengths we can highlight the good systems of education and healthcare, a young population, reliable institutions, a large middle class and a dynamic civil society”.

Tunisia was the spark that set-off the cry for democracy in many new Arab ‘democracies’. Is the ‘New’ democratic evolution in Tunisia evolving?

“The democratic transition of Tunisia is also on the right track because our country has the privilege to be surrounded by many friendly and fraternal states, as well as international financial institutions, that are offering their support to Tunisia at this critical stage of its history.

Among them there is Malta, Tunisia’s closest European neighbour, a country close to our coast and very close to our hearts. For centuries, strong ties of friendship and cooperation have existed between our two countries and their Peoples.”

Are these traditional venerable Tunisian-Maltese relations still being implemented?

“Indeed, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Tonio Borg, was one of the first European ministers to visit Tunisia after the revolution. He has visited our country two times, the second occasion was on the 19th March. Dr Borg expressed Malta’s willingness to continue supporting Tunisia during this difficult period and his message was greatly appreciated by the Tunisian people and government.

Malta has shown its willingness to provide any assistance that Tunisia may need and, on this point, I would like to reiterate our gratitude for the humanitarian aid granted last February to the western regions of our country, which suffered from exceptional weather conditions.”

In which sectors is mutual collaboration most viable?

“We note with satisfaction that cooperation between our two countries is fruitful, with achievements in the fields of youth, education and training, sport, tourism, health, commercial cooperation, environmental issues and agriculture.

In addition, cooperation between Tunisia and Malta in the international arena and the Mediterranean area has also been in excellent shape.”

And what are your aspirations for future Tunisian-Maltese relationships?

“I sincerely hope that our bilateral relations will develop further, opening new areas of interest for the mutual benefit of our two countries and their people.”