The rural social question in Morocco and Tunisia: Mobilizations, representations and state responses

In North Africa, rural populations are particularly affected by poverty and social inequality as a result of colonially inherited socio-spatial disparities. The Covid-19 pandemic has aggravated the living conditions in the countryside, intensifying poverty protests across the region. While rural Tunisia has traditionally been a hotbed of protest against the central authorities and at the origin of the 2011 uprisings, protest movements in Morocco have until recently been a predominantly urban phenomenon. This paper seeks to explain the historical differences regarding rural mobilizations as well as their recent convergence in the two countries. It will identify the relevant actors and their demands, the representation of rural populations in national politics and state responses addressing rural grievances both before and during the pandemic. Empirically it will be based on an original analysis of national press articles in Arabic and French language. The results will be embedded in ongoing debates on social mobilization and rural development.