Hundreds of Tunisian opponents protested today, Tuesday, on the second anniversary of President Kais Saied's takeover of most authorities on July 25, 2021, demanding an end to "authoritarian rule" and the immediate release of imprisoned political leaders. At the invitation of the opposition Salvation Front, around 300 people gathered on Habib Bourguiba Street, raising slogans such as "Freedom for political detainees," "Down with the coup," and "Liberties, liberties, no to directive judges."
The opposition accuses Saied of executing a coup after he closed parliament two years ago and unilaterally drafted a new constitution. However, he argues that his actions are necessary and legal to save Tunisia from chaos and rampant corruption among the political elite.
During the protest, the leader of the Salvation Front, Najib Chebbi, said, "How can a man like Ghannouchi, an elderly man with intellectual and political influence, be in prison?" Ennahda leader Al-Ajmi al-Warimi noted that "the result of holding power with an iron fist and consolidating all authority is frustration and despair among Tunisians."
In another street in the capital, hundreds of supporters of the Free Constitutional Party, led by its president Abir Moussi, also protested. The demonstrators raised slogans like "Poverty has increased, hunger has increased." Supporters of the Free Constitutional Party displayed Tunisian flags and signs stating, "We suffer without water or electricity, and Saied is not here (he doesn't know)."
In February, authorities launched a crackdown during which police arrested around twenty prominent political leaders, including leaders of the Salvation Front, on charges of conspiring against state security. Saied described these individuals as "terrorists" and "criminals" responsible for food shortages and attempts to ignite tense social situations. The police also arrested opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi, the head of the Ennahda Islamic party, former Prime Minister Ali Laarayedh, and other officials from the Ennahda party, closing the party's main headquarters in the capital and all other offices across the country.
