Tunisia’s Autocratic Leader Is Poised to Steamroll to Election Victory

THE NEW YORK TIMES: President Kais Saied, who has jailed opponents and consolidated power, is almost certain to win Sunday’s election in the North African country, the birthplace of the Arab Spring movement.

For many Tunisians, there seems to be little point to the presidential election on Sunday. There are barely any candidate posters, no debates and not much suspense. The president, Kais Saied, appears so sure of victory that he has not even issued any policy proposals.

His leading challenger is in prison, serving three separate sentences on what his lawyers say are falsified charges, the longest sentence lasting 12 years. At least eight other would-be candidates are in jail or under a form of house arrest, and others have been disqualified from the ballot.

More than a decade after mass protests toppled the country’s longtime dictator, Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, prompting other Arab Spring revolts across the Middle East, few in Tunisia still believe they live in a democracy. The string of punishments for the president’s critics and his ever-tightening hold over the election process in recent months have left little doubt that Mr. Saied’s one-man rule is here to stay.

“He’s willing to do anything it takes to stay in power — dividing Tunisians, prosecuting them, accusing them,” said Souhaib Fercheche, 30, a senior campaigner at I Watch, a civic watchdog formed by young Tunisians in the heady, hopeful days after the country’s 2011 revolution. » | Vivian Yee, Reporting from Tunis | Sunday, October 6, 2024

Arab spring dreams in ruins as Tunisia goes to polls against backdrop of repression: Critics of incumbent Kais Saied say he has increasingly bent the country’s institutions to his will »

Record Numbers of Migrants Arriving in Europe | DW News

Sep 4, 2023 | Sub-Saharan migration across the Mediterranean is on the rise. With Tunisia fast becoming the latest hotspot for departures, the EU has pledged to help avert migrant flows.

Tunisian Unrest Grows amid Inflation, Migration, and Repression - BBC Newsnight

Jul 31, 2023 | In Tunisia, galloping inflation, the pressures of trans-Saharan migration, and an increasingly repressive government, are straining social cohesion. There are similarities to the situation that led to the country's Jasmine Revolution in 2010, which in turn triggered the wider Arab Spring protests. It's all being watched nervously across the Mediterranean by European countries that rely on the government there to control migration. Mike Thompson reports from Tunis for Newsnight.

Secret Audio Sheds Light on Former Tunisian Dictator’s Final Hours - BBC News

Jan 14, 2022 • Extraordinary recordings of what is believed to be Tunisian president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali’s phone calls as he flew out of the country, have been obtained by the BBC.

These final moments show how the dictator’s authority crumbled, sealing the fate of his 23-year dictatorship and sparking the region's wave of pro-democracy Arab Spring uprisings.

The recordings have been forensically analysed by audio experts who found no evidence of manipulation.

The BBC has played the audio to people who know the individuals concerned, and they believe the voices to be genuine. However, some of the people concerned strongly dispute their veracity.

If genuine, they give an incredible insight into the change in Ben Ali's mood in the last 48 hours of his regime.

Could Tunisia Fall under a New Dictatorship? | Inside Story

Jul 27, 2021 • Tunisia is often called the only success story of the Arab Spring. But ten years on, its democracy is looking fragile. President Kais Saied has defended sacking the Prime Minister and suspending parliament, saying he acted lawfully under the constitution.

Tunisia's biggest political party, Ennahda, is calling for a national dialogue. While some celebrated the President's decisions, others are warning of a return to authoritarianism. So could Tunisia return to dictatorship?

Presenter: Bernard Smith | Guests: Tarek Kahloui - Political analyst; Sarah Yerkes - Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Salih Yasun - Fellow, Ostrom Workshop, Indiana University Bloomington.

Tunisia’s President Suspends Parliament and Fires Prime Minister

President Kais Saied of Tunisia taking the oath of office in October 2019. He has been locked in a power struggle with the prime minister and speaker of Parliament.Credit...Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The moves by President Kais Saied to take control of the country were seen as a threat to the only democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring protests. His opponents called it a “coup.”

CAIRO — Tunisia’s president fired the prime minister, suspended Parliament and took control of the country late on Sunday after large and violent anti-government protests across a nation struggling with deepening health and economic crises.

The moves by the president, Kais Saied, were seen as threat to the only democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring protests a decade ago. A leading political party, Ennahda, called it “a coup against the Tunisian democracy and its constitution” and “a betrayal of every Tunisian,” urging Mr. Saied to reverse his decisions immediately.

“Tunisia is the only Arab Spring’s success story and that story does not end here,” Ennahda said in a statement. “We call on every international supporter of democracy to come together to speak out immediately against this injustice and call for the immediate restoration of our Parliament.” » | Vivian Yee | Monday, July 26, 2021

Tunisie : le président s'octroie le pouvoir exécutif, Ennahdha dénonce un «coup d'État» »

Tunisia Protests: Hundreds Arrested as Clashes Continue

BBC: Police in Tunisia say they have arrested more than 600 people as a fourth night of violent protests saw protesters return to the streets.

On Monday, crowds of mainly young demonstrators again gathered in the centre of the capital, Tunis, throwing stones and petrol bombs at police.

Security forces responded with tear gas and water cannon.

Tunisia faces severe economic problems and a third of its young people are unemployed.

The economic crisis has worsened under the pandemic.

The latest unrest comes almost exactly 10 years since the Tunisian revolution ushered in democracy and triggered the Arab Spring revolts across the region. However, hopes that this would bring more jobs and opportunities have been disappointed.

Outside Tunis, clashes were reported on Monday in the cities of Kasserine, Gafsa, Sousse and Monastir. » | Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Tunisia: Twin Suicide Attacks Target Police

Two suicide blasts rocked the Tunisian capital on Thursday, according to the country's interior ministry, killing at least one police officer with several people wounded.

The first blast was caused by a suicide bomber targeting a police patrol on Tunis' central Charles de Gaulle street, not far from the French embassy. Two police officers and three civilians were injured, according to the interior ministry. Body parts were strewn in the road around the police car, an AFP news agency correspondent said. The loud explosion was heard throughout the surrounding neighbourhood.

A second attacker blew himself up shortly afterwards near a police station elsewhere in the capital, the interior ministry said. Four people were injured in the attack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the incidents.

Tunisian Nightclub Shut Down over Muslim Call to Prayer Remix

THE GUARDIAN: Owner held and English DJ apologises after playing recording at Orbit festival in north-east of country

Tunisian authorities have shut down a nightclub and begun an investigation after a DJ played a remix recording of the Muslim call to prayer, an official has said.

A video, widely shared online since Sunday, shows clubbers dancing to music that includes the call to prayer at the club in the north-east town of Nabeul.

The footage sparked a storm of debate on social media. » | Agence France-Presse in Tunis | Monday, April 3, 2017

Protests Return to Tunisia as Trading Route Is Closed

Tunisia is seeing a fresh wave of anti-government protests, six years after the country was the birthplace of the so-called Arab Spring, Tunisian traders are angry that the Libyan border has been closed and they're losing business.

'I Started the Arab Spring. Now Death Is Everywhere, and Extremism Blooming'

Tunisian municipal officer Faida Hamdy

THE TELEGRAPH: Faida Hamdy confiscated a vegetable stall in Tunisia five years ago today. Neither she nor the rest of the world could have imagined the consequences

It is hardly surprising that when Faida Hamdy wonders whether she is responsible for everything that happened after her moment of fame she is overwhelmed.

Mrs Hamdy was the council inspector who, five years ago today confiscated the vegetable stall of a street vendor in her dusty town in central Tunisia.

In despair, that young man set himself on fire in a protest outside the council offices. Within weeks, he was dead, dozens of young Arab men had copied him, riots had overthrown his president, and the Arab Spring was under way.

As the world marks the anniversary, Syria and Iraq are in flames, Libya has broken down, and the twin evils of militant terror and repression stalk the region.

“Sometimes I wish I’d never done it,” Mrs Hamdy told The Telegraph, in her only interview to mark the occasion. » | Radhouane Addala in Sidi Bouzeid and Richard Spencer, Middle East Editor | Thursday, December 17, 2015

Tunisia: At least 12 Dead as Blast Targets Bus Carrying Presidential Guards

A bus carrying the Tunisian presidential guards was hit by an explosion leaving at least 12 dead and around 16 injured in central Tunis, Tuesday.

According to security sources, the guards were boarding the bus at Mohamed V Avenue near the Interior Ministry to be taken to the presidential place in the suburbs of Tunisia's capital when the explosion occurred. It is not clear at the moment whether the explosion was caused by bomb or an explosive fired at the bus.

Why Is ISIS Attacking During Ramadan? BBC News (June 2015)

Maajid Nawaz from the Quilliam Foundation describes the reasons why ISIS may have decided to execute attack during the holy month of Ramadan.

Britons Told to Leave Tunisia amid Fears of a Fresh Terror Attack

THE TELEGRAPH: Foreign Office has changed its travel advice for Tunisia warning against all but essential travel amid fears gunman Selfeddine Rezgui's cell could be ready to strike again

Britons have been told to leave Tunisia as soon as possible amid fears it is “highly likely” they will be targeted in a fresh terror attack.

The Foreign Office changed its travel advice for the country warning against all but essential travel.

Holiday operators were urgently arranging additional flights to bring Britons currently travelling in the country home, the FCO said.

There are up to 3,000 Britons currently in Tunisia, it is understood, and they have been told to contact their tour operator or airline to plan their return. (+ videos) » | Tom Whitehead, Security Editor, video source UK POOL | Thursday, July 9, 2015

Tunisia Attack: Foreign Office Says 15 Britons Killed and Death Toll May Rise

THE GUARDIAN: Prime minister earlier denounced ‘savage’ killings by Islamic State terrorist of at least 39 tourists


Fifteen Britons have died in the Tunisian beach massacre but the toll could rise further, the Foreign Office has said, in what it called “the most significant terrorist attack on the British people” since 7 July 2005.

The number of British holidaymakers confirmed to have been killed by the lone gunman on Friday rose steadily on Saturday.

The prime minister, David Cameron, warned earlier that the UK public needed to be prepared for the total to rise.

A total of 39 people were killed, including one Irish woman, with one Belgian and a German also among the victims.

Planes evacuating holidaymakers began arriving back in the UK on Saturday morning. Speaking in Downing Street, Cameron said a full deployment team of consular staff, police and experts from the Red Cross would arrive in Tunisia on Saturday to help the victims and their families and added that the government was doing all they could to help them. » | Jessica Elgot, Chris Johnston and agencies | Saturday, June 27, 2015


German tourist recounts horror of beach attack

Tunisia Beach Attack: 80 'Propagandist' Mosques to Be Closed

BBC AMERICA: Tunisia will shut down about 80 mosques accused of inciting violence, Prime Minister Habib Essid has said, after a beach attack that left 39 people dead.

The mosques, which operate outside state control, are spreading "venom" and will close within a week, he said.

On Friday a gunman opened fire on tourists in the resort town of Sousse.

Tunisians, Britons, Germans, Belgians, French and at least one Irish citizen were among those killed in the attack, claimed by Islamic State (IS).

The gunman was shot dead by police. Officials say he was a student not previously known to authorities.

This was the second major attack on tourists in Tunisia since March, when militants killed 22 people, mainly foreigners, at a museum in the capital. (+ BBC videos) » | Friday, June 26, 2015

Tunisia Attack on Sousse Beach 'Kills 28'

BBC AMERICA: At least 28 people, mostly foreigners, have been killed in an attack on a beach near two tourist hotels in the Tunisian resort town of Sousse, according to the interior ministry.

Officials say one gunman has been shot dead and another is being pursued.

Interior Ministry officials said Tunisians, Britons, Germans and Belgians are among the dead.

In March militants killed 22 people, mainly foreign tourists, in an attack on a museum in the capital Tunis.

Officials say six people have been injured in the attack. » | Friday, June 25, 2015

Tunisian Scholar Mohamed Talbi: The Quran Does Not Prohibit Alcohol, Prostitution, or Homosexuality

The Islamist Struggle Behind Tunisia's Suicide Bombings

The Battle for Bizerte: The ongoing struggle between Tunisia's ultra-conservative Islamists and democratic Government

Tunisian Authorities Arrest Nine People Following Wednesday's Deadly Museum Attack

Tunisian authorities said Thursday that they arrested nine people directly connected with Wednesday's deadly museum attack. Authorities raised the death toll to 23 in the shooting at Tunisia's National Bardo Museum, with 50 people estimated to be wounded. Although no group has claimed responsibility, security experts said it is likely to be Islamic State sympathizers who…