Tunisians Protest President's Autocratic Rule

Tunisians Protest President’s Autocratic Rule Tunisia Thousands of Tunisians took to the streets of the capital Tunis over the weekend to protest against President Kais Saied’s increasingly authoritarian rule, while calling for the release of dozens of political prisoners and a reversal of the government’s widening crackdown on dissent, Al Jazeera reported. On Saturday, at least 2,000 protesters filled central Tunis, chanting “the people want to overthrow the regime,” while carrying signs reading “Enough repression” and “Not my president.” The demonstration was held under the banner “Against Injustice” and brought together activists, families of detainees, civic groups, and opposition parties in a rare show of unity across ideological lines. The weekend rally came amid a surge of nationwide protests over political and economic turmoil under Saied’s governance. Earlier in the week, journalists marched against restrictions on press freedom and the temporary suspension of around 14 non-governmental organizations. The show of defiance follows a series of arrests targeting critics of Saied. Protesters have accused the president of using the police and the courts to silence opponents and warned that political and civic gains made since the 2011 revolution were being dismantled. Organizers told the Associated Press that Saturday’s demonstrations also sought to shed light on the plight of detainees, some of whom have gone on hunger strikes. Others pointed to broader grievances, ranging from political repression and a failing economy to environmental pollution. In recent weeks, Tunisians have been demonstrating against the pollution and environmental degradation in the phosphate-producing city of Gabes. Human rights officials have warned that more than 50 activists, lawyers, journalists, and politicians have been arrested or prosecuted since late 2022, often under broad anti-terrorism and cybercrime laws used to criminalize peaceful expression and political activity. Elected in 2019, Saied assumed sweeping powers after suspending parliament in 2021, launching a crackdown on dissent and opposition parties. He has denied accusations of operating like a dictator and insists he is cleansing the state of corruption and “traitors.” But his critics counter that Tunisia, once seen as the Arab Spring’s lone democratic success story, is now sliding rapidly toward one-man rule. Share this story