Tunisian President Kais Saied has dismissed Employment and Vocational Training Minister Nasreddine Nsibi, making him the fifth minister to be removed since the beginning of this year amid a tense political situation in the country. The Tunisian presidency stated in a statement that Saied decided to "terminate the duties of Nasreddine Nsibi, Minister of Employment and Vocational Training," without mentioning the reasons for his dismissal. Saied also appointed Monir Ben Rajiba as Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad.
Nasreddine Nsibi has held the position of Minister of Employment and Vocational Training since October 2021 and is also the spokesperson for Prime Minister Najla Bouden's government. Since the beginning of this year, Saied has dismissed four ministers: Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi, Trade Minister Fadhila Rabihi, Agriculture Ministers Mahfoudh Elias Hamza, and Education Minister Fethi Slaouti, without providing explanations for their removal from office.
These changes in the executive authority come amid a political crisis in the country, characterized by a wave of arrests targeting political leaders opposing President Kais Saied, a prominent businessman, as well as judges and a radio station director. Economic and financial crises have also arisen, along with labor movements led by the Tunisian General Labour Union.
Opposition forces accuse President Kais Saied of attempting to eliminate his opponents through a crackdown on arrests while Saied claims that many of those arrested are involved in conspiracy against the state and attempting to overthrow the regime. He emphasizes the need for accountability and the enforcement of the law to cleanse the country.
