Tunis - After Secretary General of the Tunisian Al-Joumhouri party, Maya Jribi, presented Tunisia’s “Woman Citizen of 2015” award on March 19, she reacted strongly to a headline published in French newspaper La Libération that proclaimed that as a result of the Bardo Museum terrorist attack in Tunis,"Tunisia is finished, tourism is over.” She rejected that claim, announcing instead, “Tunisia Stands against terrorism; Tunisia will never be finished.”
Morocco World News interviewed Maya Jribi, Secretary General of the Tunisian Al-Joumhouri party, on the sidelines of the 9th anniversary of Tunisian Association of Management and Social Stability, about her statement on March 19, that "Tunisia is not finished" in response to the newspaper’s inflammatory headline.
MWN: The head of government spoke about a "new" form of terrorism in Tunisia, this time targeting tourists. Does the attack which occurred on March 18 at Bardo Museum represent a new phenomenon in your mind?
Maya Jribi: No, [last week] Tunisia took a dangerous and disturbing turn. There was terrorism in the mountains (In Mount Chaambi) targeting especially police and soldiers. This time, it is in the city center. They attacked foreigners, tourism, and a place of national sovereignty, which is the Assembly of People's Representatives (the parliament). It is a symbolic shift, with terrorists attacking Tunisia itself.
MWN: Following the assassination of political activist Chokri Belaid, you asked for the resignation of Hamadi Jebali from the government and you retired from the National Constituent Assembly after the assassination of its member, Ahmed Brahmi. Are you reacting differently today to try to provide an effective solution?
Maya Jribi: The various political parties agreed that there should not be a sacred union behind this or that party, or even behind the government, but behind Tunisia. A sacred union that does not exclude differences or criticism, and that should form a link between all of us.
We consulted regarding more urgent and less urgent solutions. The urgent measure is to convey a message of hope and unity. We have called for a national march in the days to come where all political parties and some organizations such as Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) and The Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) can participate to show that Tunisia is against terrorism and will never “be finished.”
MWN: The Bardo hostage situation reminds us of the tragedies of Charlie Hebdo and Hyper Kosher of last January in France. Many people said ‘I am Charlie’, ‘I am a Jew’, now they are saying ‘I am Bardo’, thinking not only of the victims’ families, but also of Tunisia. What political strategy do you recommend to overcome the crisis and encourage more people to join the “I am Bardo” campaign?
Maya Jribi: Terrorism strikes all over the world. This is a global problem; it is not local. It attacks the economy, and it attacks stability. The main message we have to spread is hope. Life goes on. As for tourism, which they attacked, we must mobilize in Tunisia and abroad and get more people to say and to believe: "Come to Tunisia; don’t be afraid.”
France did not fall when terrorism struck the country. People still visit France. They can do the same for Tunisia. Let’s defend this nascent democracy.
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