Thousands protest “oppression and tyranny” in Tunisia Corruption in EU parliament: Kaili’s detention extended

He cannot find a solution to the serious economic crisis, while the need in Tunisia continues to grow: Thousands of people therefore demonstrated again on Saturday against the political course of President Kais Saied.

It was one of the largest protests since the head of state began his controversial rise to power at the expense of other democratic institutions. Because despite the new abundance of power, Saied is not moving the country forward, and according to surveys, his popularity ratings have fallen sharply recently. That is why he invokes aggression: the president is taking increasingly drastic measures against his critics – and recently also against refugees.

Dozens of critics arrested

“Oppression and tyranny” will not exist in Tunisia, the general secretary of the influential trade union federation UGTT, Noureddine Taboubi, said on Saturday. The union members had called for the protest in the capital Tunis. You have become one of the president’s main opponents. Some protesters called for an end to the “liberties of the police state”.

Since February, dozens of Saied’s critics have been arrested in Tunisia, including opposition politicians, judges, a journalist and a representative of the UGTT. They are charged with corruption and “conspiracy against state security”. Human Rights Watch (HRW), on the other hand, criticized that there was no hard evidence for the allegations.

Union leader dismissed

The country also recently expelled the Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation ETUC, Esther Lynch. A few days ago, a member of a Spanish trade union was also refused entry.

Saied is not on good terms with union members. The dispute with the UGTT is also believed to be the main reason why the North African country has still not reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Tunisian leaders are hoping for a billion dollar loan to avert national bankruptcy. However, the UGTT rejects the reforms demanded by the IMF in return, as they would likely be very painful for many Tunisians already suffering from the economic crisis.

New scapegoat

The ailing president has now found a new scapegoat: in a speech a week and a half ago, Saied accused migrants from sub-Saharan countries of bringing violence and crime into the country. There is a “criminal deal” to change the demographic composition of Tunisia. The country is in danger of becoming purely African and losing its Islamic and Arab identity. Critics accuse Saied of trying to distract attention from other problems with this fuss.

Nevertheless, hostilities and racist attacks have since increased and security forces have arrested hundreds of black people to check whether they are legally in the country. More and more people affected, for example from Ivory Coast, Congo or Guinea, no longer feel safe and want to leave the country. There are also increasing reports of those affected being fired from their jobs and apartments.

The African Union (AU) was “shocked” after Saied’s speech. A week ago on Saturday, several hundred people took to the streets in the capital Tunis to protest against racism. Tunisia is an African country, they chanted.

transit point for migrants

Tunisia is considered an important transit point for migrants on their way to Europe. However, the majority of people currently arriving in Italy by boat come from Tunisia itself and, given the lack of prospects in the North African country, hope for a better life in Europe.

“I am disappointed that the president is not doing anything to alleviate the plight of the people,” one protester told the DPA news agency on Saturday.

Kais Saied is gaining more and more power in the country. He also dissolved parliament and had a new, considerably weakened representative body elected. The head of state also introduced a controversial new constitution, which also allows him to appoint and dismiss judges of his own accord.

(dsc/sda/dpa)