While toppling decades-old authoritarian regimes in Tunisia, Libya, and Yemen took only months, rebuilding these states will likely take years. This book argues that to transition to sustainable peace and stability, these societies must engage in an inclusive national reconciliation process. Based on over 200 interviews with key figures in Tunisia, Libya, and Yemen, this book identifies the greatest drivers of the polarization afflicting each country and the specific national reconciliation processes that can best address them. Dr. Sharqieh finds that an effective national reconciliation proce ... More

While toppling decades-old authoritarian regimes in Tunisia, Libya, and Yemen took only months, rebuilding these states will likely take years. This book argues that to transition to sustainable peace and stability, these societies must engage in an inclusive national reconciliation process. Based on over 200 interviews with key figures in Tunisia, Libya, and Yemen, this book identifies the greatest drivers of the polarization afflicting each country and the specific national reconciliation processes that can best address them. Dr. Sharqieh finds that an effective national reconciliation process must include a national dialogue, a truth seeking effort, the reparation of victims’ past injuries, dealing with the former regime, and institutional reform. Each subject country has taken different approaches thus far. Tunisia held a homegrown national dialogue driven mainly by civil society organizations and Yemen completed a ten-month, UN-assisted conference, but Libya has been unable to begin a national dialogue thus far. Party politics and limited resources have influenced the other reconciliation processes. While Libya opted to purge all those who served in Muammar Qaddafi’s regime, Yemen chose to grant President Saleh immunity from prosecution in return for his abdication. Tunisia, meanwhile, has adopted a transitional justice law that mandates the investigation and prosecution of the state’s past crimes. These processes, especially if supported by key agents of reconciliation including women, civil society, and tribes, can combine to create the momentum needed to bridge divides and help Arab Spring societies move toward peace, stability, and development.