On the 12th anniversary of the overthrow of former dictator Ben Ali, hundreds of people have demonstrated against President Kais Saied in the Tunisian capital.
Amidst growing political polarization, angry mobs demonstrated against the deterioration of their living conditions.
Ennahdha party supporters demanded that Saied resign after he launched a dramatic power grab in July 2021.
Up until Saied ousted the government, halted the legislative process, appointed a new cabinet, and ruled by decree, Ennahdha had held a majority in parliament.
Near the presidential palace, the Free Destourian Party, an anti-Islamist opposition group, held another march.
Many Tunisians are upset about the economic crisis, which has led to a lack of food supplies like coffee, couscous, and sugar as well as many supermarket shelves being empty.
To prevent stock shortages, supermarkets are currently rationing some produce, including milk and pasta.
Campaigners are demanding that the state declare a state of water emergency despite officials’ claims that rationing some consumer goods is a preventative measure.
Official from the agriculture ministry Hammadi Habib previously stated: “If we don’t make decisions in January to reduce irrigation water use and prioritize drinking water now, then for sure we won’t have drinking water in the capital or coastal regions in August.”
High international prices and the government’s own financial issues, which have limited its ability to purchase imported food and subsidize domestic farms, are two factors contributing to Tunisia’s problems with its food supply.
