Civil Society: A Pathway to Power?

Tunisia’s transitional government currently contains many influential leaders whose origins lie in civil society – an issue which raises concerns over the autonomy of Tunisia’s civil society from the government during this interim period.

Traditionally, civil society is tasked with serving as an intermediary between the public and the government, creating policy proposals, holding leaders accountable, and providing services that the government is unable to offer.

The end of the politically repressive rule of former Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali meant the opening of the Tunisian political arena. Many active members of civil society have used this opportunity to obtain government positions, both within ministries and the National Constituent Assembly (CA), merging elements of civil society with governmental sectors. Government members who transitioned directly from civil society positions into the government following the ouster of Ben Ali include major figures like Tunisian interim President Moncef Marzouki.

Marzouki has a vibrant background in human rights activism, previously heading the Tunisian League of Human Rights and the National Council for Freedoms in Tunisia. Additionally, Abdelkarim Harouni, the Minister of Transportation from the Ennahdha party, founded the General Tunisian Union of Students (UGTE) in 1985.

Most members of civil society organizations do not believe that government connections with civil society organizations are an impediment to their development. Instead, many believe that it ensures greater efficiency.

Mouheb Garoui, president of I-Watch, a non-governmental organization that monitors elections and hosts trainings, workshops, and polling projects, explains that the Tunisian government is willing to work with different organizations and is receptive to various sources of input.

“Government officials are more inclined to cooperate with civil society. Many people are neutral and are not biased to any one organization. I am happy with the work that the government has done in relation to civil society,” Garoui says.

Civil society is vital to the current transition’s sustainability. For civil society groups that aim to “raise awareness, promote civic education, fight corruption, and advance transparency,” having direct relations with the government is nothing but positive, Garoui concludes.

Lamjed Jomli, the Coordinator of Private Sector Department in UGTT, Tunisia’s largest labor union, shares Garoui’s sentiments.

Jomli finds it, “…completely normal for people to move from civil society organizations to politics. This experience will let them help the country.” He adds, “Despite their previous affiliation, they will not be in the government under the guidance of an organization.”

He explains that, while there are government members who had strong ties to civil society, they did not previously expect to have the opportunity to run for office. Jomli adds that it is unlikely that Tunisians view civil society leadership as a stepping stone to power, for it takes years to cultivate the contacts and programming to become a civil society leader.

Unlike civil society leaders, members of the government and the National Constituent Assembly have mixed reviews about government ties to civil society organizations.

Rabï Abdi, a CPR member in the CA, says that it is “too soon to assess these connections’ impact on transitional political development.” He remains unsurprised, however, that so many Tunisian politicians found their start within the civil society sector since, historically, civil society served as the only means of activism within the country.

Salma Baccar, a CA member from the Al Massar Party, also has mixed emotions about such connections between the civil society sector and Tunisia’s government. “It [the connection] could be positive or negative. Everything Tunisia needs to do should be in favor of Tunisian society. Civil society is a vibrant part of Tunisia’s collective past and future, and it serves a vital purpose.”

Baccar does, however, fear that government members could take advantage of their ties and support for civil society to garner increased power. “I am afraid that some people may  use these connections to buy the peoples’ votes. Some of the politicians involved in civil society organizations use them as a means to get in the citizens’ good graces and own their votes. This is not moral.”

Still, Baccar concedes that not all politicians are misusing their connections, and instead use their connections to add to the success of the country’s transition. “Some officials…they are members of such [civil society] groups, but they do not use it [their membership] for their own needs.”

According to Baccar, the role of civil society within Tunisia has increased in importance since the 2011 revolution. “Activism in civil society is good. Tunisia needs these organizations more than ever,” she adds, citing economic and unemployment issues as a cause for increased civil society activism. “The economy is struggling, and we need to have social and political solidarity to help those people struggling,” Baccar concludes.

Other government officials recognize the issue as a conflict of interest. Chakib Darouiche, the press attache from the Ministry of Human Rights and Transitional Justice, understands the concerns surrounding governmental ties to civil society. He explains that Samir Dilou, the Tunisian Minister of Human Rights and Transitional Justice, left civil society groups to ensure that there was no conflict of interest within his allegiances. Darouiche adds that he, “wants to make sure that civil society organizations are independent, and that the government stresses the separation between the political and civil environments.”

All the representatives of civil society and the government that Tunisia Live spoke to recognized the importance of civil society in furthering the aims of post-revolutionary Tunisia. As Darouiche concludes, civil society, both before and after the revolution, plays a vital role in “…making sure that the political transition succeeds. We need to have a strong and independent civil society.”