Thousands protest “oppression and tyranny” in Tunisia pledged $20 billion for marine protection

While the need in the country is increasing, the Tunisian president is taking a hard line in the crisis: Thousands of people therefore demonstrated again this weekend against the political course of Kais Saied. The head of state is taking increasingly drastic measures against his critics – and more recently against refugees. On Saturday, the influential trade union federation UGTT gathered thousands in one of the largest protests since Saied’s controversial seizure of power at the expense of other democratic institutions.

Hundreds of opponents of the president took to the streets on Sunday, including many supporters of the Islamist Ennahda party, which has lost much of its popularity in the country. The demonstrators thus ignored a ban that the responsible authorities had previously issued for the opposition rally.

Despite his newfound power, Saied is not helping the country, and surveys have shown his popularity numbers have plummeted recently. He cannot find a solution to the economic crisis in the country, but devotes himself to fighting critics. Since February, Saied has arrested dozens of people, 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. The demonstrators demanded the release of those affected last weekend.

“Oppression and tyranny” will not exist in Tunisia, UGTT Secretary General Noureddine Taboubi said in the capital Tunis on Saturday. Some protesters called for an end to the “liberties of the police state”. Unionists have become one of the president’s main opponents.

expulsion of various persons

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). The Tunisian leadership is 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.

The ailing president has now found a new scapegoat: in a speech a week and a half ago, Saied accused sub-Saharan migrants 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, the Democratic Republic of Congo or Guinea, no longer feel safe and want to leave the country. There are also increasing reports of those affected being laid off from their jobs and apartments.

African Union “shocked”

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.

Tunisia is considered an important transit point for migrants on their way to Europe. However, a large proportion of the 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,” a demonstrator, who declined to be named, told the German 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. (sda/dpa)