Significant move that can be emulated

The election of secularist Beji Caid Essebsi as the new president of Tunisia is first and foremost a triumph of democracy in this Arab country.

He defeated incumbent pro-Islamist Moncef Marzouki who initially refused to concede defeat, later congratulating his rival.

Essebsi taking over the presidency of the country is an essential step towards completion of Tunisia’s transition to democracy that will hopefully put an end to the uncertainty witnessed by the country since the ouster of president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.

Tunisia is often referred to as the birthplace of the Arab Spring, the popular move that was supposed to usher in genuine democracy and enlightenment in the Arab world.

This noble goal, however, remains elusive for most of the Arab countries.

Tunisia’s experience will, hopefully, become an example that countries, after having overthrown ruthless, long-serving dictators, only saw themselves mired in chaos, lawlessness, crime and often worse conditions than those they wished to do away with, will emulate.

Essebsi is generally viewed as a disciple of the late Tunisian leader Habib Bourguiba, who ruled the country with an iron fist but in an enlightened manner from 1957 to 1987, when Ben Ali took over.

Bourguiba was the founder of modern, secularist Tunisia that believed in gender equality, educational reforms and neutrality during the Cold War.

The newly elected Tunisian leader is expected to give equal prominence to the promotion of gender equality and to reforms in all sectors of government, most importantly to education and the economy.

Through its peaceful and democratic way of conducting business, Tunisia becomes in effect a successful example of victory of genuine democracy over radicalism and extremism, of civilised behaviour in which the minority bows to the will of the majority.

The Tunisian example is to be commended; it could serve as proof that the Arab nation is well prepared for true democracy founded on equality, pluralism and secular politics.