Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was the President of Tunisia from 1987 until 2011. He came to power after a bloodless coup that ousted the long-time leader Habib Bourguiba. During his presidency, Ben Ali focused on economic reforms and modernization, but his government was also criticized for human rights abuses and corruption. In late 2010, widespread protests erupted against his regime, fueled by high unemployment and rising prices. These protests, part of the broader Arab Spring movement, ultimately led to Ben Ali fleeing to Saudi Arabia in January 2011. His departure marked a significant moment in Tunisia's history and inspired similar uprisings across the region.