Fourteen years after the start of the 'Arab Spring', there is still no real freedom anywhere in the Arab world

amsterdam - A wave of street protests swept through the Middle East after the death of a street vendor, sparking what became known as the Arab Spring.

A wave of street protests swept through the Middle East after the death of a street vendor, sparking what became known as the Arab Spring. Frustration and anger over poverty, corruption, and abuse by local police led to the self-immolation of Bouazizi in December 2010, igniting widespread protests across the region and toppling four leaders. However, fourteen years later, true freedom remains elusive in the Arab world.

In Egypt, the uprising against the nearly thirty-year rule of Hosni Mubarak began in 2011, leading to his resignation in February. Subsequent elections saw Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood win, but his presidency was short-lived as the military intervened in 2013, eventually paving the way for Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to assume power. Human rights organizations estimate around 60,000 political prisoners in Egypt today.

In Libya, protests against Muammar Gaddafi escalated into a civil war that lasted until 2020, culminating in Gaddafi's death. Despite a ceasefire in 2020, the country remains divided among various militias. Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab League, also witnessed protests against Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime, leading to his resignation amid violence.

In Tunisia, where the Arab Spring originated, hopes for democracy have dwindled with President Kais Saied's tightening grip on power, restricting freedom of speech and cracking down on political opponents. Similar challenges persist in Morocco, Algeria, and Jordan, indicating that genuine change remains a distant goal in the Arab world.