2011 seen by the Amadeus Institute
The end of 2011 is looming. Undoubtedly it will be remembered, regarding the multiplicity and density of events that occurred during the 12 past months.
Attentive observers of stories, the members of the Amadeus Institute’s Analysis and Publications Center deliver here the image that they will retain about this exceptional year.
Abdelfetah Ait Ammi, Research Officer on Energy and Environment issues
“The Tunisian revolution: the exploit of a generation”
Sure the Tunisian revolution, followed live minutes by minutes through TV channels and social networks. A sequence particularly attracted my attention: this man, 50 years maybe more, crying face to the camera which explained that he has no words to express this gratitude to the youth of hic country. They succeed where his generation failed.
History will remember that the Tunisian revolution was a turning point for the fate of the whole arab world.
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Frederic Baranger, Research Coordinator, Economy & Development Department
“South Sudan, the other face of liberty”
After 50 years of struggle, two wars and near than 2 million deaths, the people of South Sudan has finally acceded officially to independence on July 9th. This 53th State is like Africa: desperately poor, torn by tribal rivalries but rich in its youth and its resources.
As an echo to its neighbors, this case recalls that authoritarianism and violence are no longer enough to repress people who reclaim liberty.
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Chaimaa Yassine, Research Officer on Governance Issues
" The tragedy of tsunami"
The major fact I will retain is the violent tsunami that struck Japanese coasts last March : footages of spectacular waves, cities entirely destroyed but also images of miraculous survivors before other images after Fukishima accident.
Materials and human damages of such intensity in a country like Japan, world leader on anticipating natural disasters leave very perplexed. Concerning the debate on nuclear, nothing new…
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Soraya Benchiba, Research Officer on Development issues
"Famine in Horn of Africa"
I keep in mind those unsupportable images of children dying because of the famine in Horn of Africa region. Unfortunately, it is not something new or singular to 2011. I still persuaded that this human drama, caused by drought, inflation of food prices and amplified by armed conflicts could have been avoided if the international community had reacted earlier and more efficiently.
Why are we waiting for the starvation emergency to react while this situation last since more than 20 years? I remain outraged facing this situation. It is scandalous and unacceptable that today people still die of hunger.
Amine Amara, Research Coordinator, Governance & Crisis Management Department
"Poutine era , phase 2"
Obviously there is the Arab Spring that concentrated all the attentions. However, I observe that a new Poutine era is coming with on the background electoral suspicions, rampant Russian nationalism and threat to block quasi systematically initiatives on international institutions. Russian people who voted against Poutine did not done it only for more democracy. Many of them supported the Communist Party or far right movements. They voted for more nationalism, grandeur, and against the soft Russia of Medvedev. As any election, Russians are nostalgic of the Soviet Empire and only Poutine seems able to conduct them there.
Talal Salahdine, Strategy and Communication Officer
"The fail of Ben Ali, a new paradgim in the Arab world"
Like everyone else, I have been completely taken by surprise by the acceleration of the events in Tunisia. Sure the troubles were important but in any case I could imagine that it will lead to the fail of Ben Ali regime, so precipitately.
All our analysis tools were strongly affected. And how can we forget this image of thousands of demonstrators in Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis who shouting “degage”, defying the security forces, label of Tunisia of Ben Ali.
There were scenes totally unbelievable only few weeks before.. Everyone knows what happens afterward...
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