Most recent articles by Sarah Mersch
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Interview with Moncef Marzouki''We Don't Have a Magic Wand''
Ahead of his visit to Germany, Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki told Sarah Mersch that his country could take a leaf out of Europe's book as it struggles with the transition to democracy and that Tunisia would welcome help from Germany in a number of areas
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Tunisia's Government in CrisisA Political Earthquake
The murder of the leftist politician Chokri Belaid has plunged the nation's already beleaguered government into deep crisis. In particular Ennahda, the strongest party in the coalition, now has its back to the wall. Sarah Mersch reports from Tunis
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Tunisia in Turmoil after Chokri Belaid KillingBetween Anger and Grief
Tunisians are in shock, following the assassination of opposition politician, Chokri Belaid. Thousands of people took to the streets to call for the government to step down. Sarah Mersch reports
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Tunisia Two Years after Ben Ali''The Revolution Is Like Yeast Dough''
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali ruled Tunisia with an iron fist for more than 20 years before he fled the country in January 2011. But two years later there is still little to celebrate for most Tunisians. Sarah Mersch reports from Tunis
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Gay Rights in TunisiaNot Illegal, but Taboo
Homosexuals in Tunisia celebrated the ouster of dictator Ben Ali, hoping it would improve their situation. But in nearly two years, little has changed for the country's gay and lesbian community. Sarah Mersch reports from Tunis
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Islam and Women's Rights in TunisiaEquality in Danger
Tunisia was once the model for emancipation in the Arab world, but there's now increasing concern over an article in the new constitution which, according to women's and human rights activists, will undermine the equality of the sexes. By Sarah Mersch in Tunis
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Post-revolution TunisiaWomen Try to Assert Independence
Women were a key force in the popular protests that toppled Tunisia's government last year and kicked off the Arab Spring. But now many Tunisian women worry that the new government may want to turn back the clock. Sarah Mersch reports from Tunis
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Interview with the Tunisian Opposition Politician Maya Jribi''Tunisia Is Rooted in the Modern and Tolerant Tradition of Islam''
In last October's elections, the people of Tunisia spoke and Maya Jribi, chairwoman of the Progressive Democratic Party, listened to what they had to say. Twelve months on from the revolution, her party has learned from its bitter electoral defeat and intends to merge with five other liberal parties at the centre of the political spectrum. She spoke to Sarah Mersch
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Tunisia Begins to Process Recent HistoryAccusations and Reconciliation
In mid-October, people in Tunisia will vote for a constituent assembly aimed at putting the country on the path to democracy. Meanwhile the process of coming to terms with the 23-year Ben Ali dictatorship has only just got off to a hesitant start. A reportage by Sarah Mersch in Tunis
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Tunisia's Art Scene after the Overthrow of Ben AliPolitics as Inspiration
Activism and art go hand in hand nowadays in Tunisia. The young and politicized artistic scene in the Mediterranean country has flourished since the dictator Ben Ali fled Tunisia in January. Sarah Mersch offers an overview from the capital Tunis