Tunisia’s National Dialogue Quartet won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for helping build democracy in the birthplace of the Arab Spring, an example of peaceful transition in a region otherwise struggling with violence and upheaval.
The quartet of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH), and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers was formed in the summer of 2013.
It helped support the democratisation process when it was in danger of collapsing, the Norwegian Nobel committee said in its citation.
“This is a great joy and pride for Tunisia, but also a hope for the Arab World,” UGTT chief Hussein Abassi said.
“It’s a message that dialogue can lead us on the right path. This prize is a message for our region to put down arms and sit and talk at the negotiation table.”
With a new constitution, free elections and a compromise politics between Islamist and secular leaders, Tunisia has been held up as a model of how to make the transition to a democracy from dictatorship.
After an uprising that led to the ousting of autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011 and inspired the “Arab Spring” protests, Tunisia now has a new constitution, free elections and a coalition government with secular and Islamist parties.
In 2013, Tunisia appeared to be sliding into a political crisis that would end its transition, with secular opponents demanding that an Islamist-led government step down.
Angered by the assassinations of two of its leaders and emboldened by Egypt’s army-backed ousting of an Islamist president, Tunisia’s opposition held protests against the ruling Islamist Ennahda party. The government had agreed it would step down but wanted more guarantees of a fair handover.
The UGTT with other civil society partners negotiated between the two sides, helping form a caretaker government to hold power until new elections were held.
The crisis ended, and last year Tunisia held successful legislative and presidential elections to complete its transition.
The Nobel Committee’s choice came as a surprise. The quartet had not been mentioned in any of the speculation in the run-up to the announcement, which instead focused on Pope Francis, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and anti-nuclear weapon campaigners.