Self-immolations

The March 12th self-immolation of Adel Khadri evokes the memories of the spark of the Tunisian revolution, Mohamed Bouazizi. But while over two years ago, the tragic incident served as that last drop that encapsulated the rampant sense of desperation and anger, today the incident fails to elicit such strong reactions. There's obviously a sense of fatigue and disillusionment, which is almost becoming fashionable in the media circles and the secular elite. The pervasive rhapsody of 'how little has changed' is the song of the day but does little to help the government solve the current problems.

Mon Massir shows that the peak of self-immolations occurred in 2011, the year of the revolution (91). The number subsided the following to 63, and this year has already 11 recorded incidents.

The numbers are demoralizing. Self-immolations do not accomplish much, except for depriving families of their breadwinners and contributing to the sense of self-defeatism that is the first obstacle to overcoming victimhood and reasserting oneself.