Tunisians hold mute protests against the present regime

May 17, 2022

(3 minutes read)

A crowd of 2,000 took part in the first demonstration of a new alliance to oppose Tunisian President Kais Saied, dubbed as the power grabber.

The opposition leader Ahmed Nejib Chebbi announced the formation of the new alliance on April 26 to save Tunisia from a deep crisis following Saied assuming more powers than what is constitutionally granted. Chebbi, 78, was a prominent opponent of dictator Zine el Abidine Ben Ali’s rule. The show belied the expectation of the opposition leaders since it was participated by a lesser number of people than expected, being the first public show of protest by the united opposition against the totalitarian government.

Saied, a former law professor, was elected in 2019 amid public anger against the political class. But later, it is alleged that he started centralizing powers. On July 25, he sacked the government, suspended parliament, and seized wide-ranging powers. Later, he decreed to become the sole power source in the country and has been ruling by issuing decrees. Legislature and judiciary have become subordinated to him.

Also Read:

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https://trendsnafrica.com/tunisian-political-crisis-escalates/https://trendsnafrica.com/voting-in-tunisian-parliamentary-elections-set-to-change/

https://trendsnafrica.com/dissolution-of-tunisian-parliament-another-blow-to-democracy/

The National Salvation Front comprising of five political parties including Saied’s main opponent, the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, and five civil society groups involving independent political figures, are now organizing demonstrations against the president. There are people who are supporting the president, driven by large-scale corruption perpetrated by the rulers and officialdom. But of late, some of the people, who initially supported him, are turning against him because of his autocratic behaviour.