Rivalry between French and Italian interests in Tunis culminated in a French invasion in 1881, and the creation of a protectorate. Agitation for independence in the decades following World War I was finally successful and Tunis became an independent state in 1956.
The country's first president, Habib Bourguiba, established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation.
In 1987, Bourguiba was declared medically unfit to continue as president and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, was his successor. He has won every election since 1987, including his fifth term at the 2009 elections.
Although the parliament has passed laws that make Tunis appear democratic, according to Amnesty International, "the Tunisian government is misleading the world as it conveys a positive image of the human rights situation in the country while abuses by its security forces continue unabated and are committed with impunity".
Ben Ali has diminished freedom of press, political pluralism and censorship is severe. Reporters without borders have included Tunisia in the country listing of "enemies of the internet."
Tunis is in the process of liberalizing its economy with exporting being its main source of income. It is ranked as the most competitive economy in Africa and has attracted international companies such as Airbus and Hewlett-Packard.
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