Protests over youth unemployment spreads to several towns and cities in Tunisia Thursday January 21,2016

Protests over youth unemployment have spread to several towns and cities in Tunisia, leading to the death of a policeman in clashes on Thursday January 21,2016

Demonstrations began in the northern Kasserine region after a man was electrocuted while protesting at being rejected for a government job.

Protests over unemployment rates in Tunisia, which started in the western Kasserine province, have intensified and spread to other parts of the country.

Solidarity rallies were held in cities including Tunis, Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa on Thursday, with several reports of suicide attempts as frustration over the lack of jobs boiled over.

Unemployment has worsened since the 2011 revolution, when President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted. 

Tunisia's 2011 revolution was sparked when Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old street vendor, fatally set himself on fire to protest police harassment.Protests spread throughout the country and eventually ended the 23-year presidency of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. 


The post-revolution transitional period has brought about uncertainty, economic instability and sporadic political violence

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