Foreign Desk Report
TUNIS: Thousands of Tunisians have taken to the streets of the capital Tunis in the latest of a series of rallies against President Kais Saied, accused by opponents of grabbing power amid a deepening political crisis.
In July last year, President Saied suspended parliament and sacked the prime minister, before further expanding his legislative and executive powers and suspending some parts of the constitution.
The opposition decried the measures, calling them a “coup” and has staged a string of street protests.
Tunisia, long seen as the sole democratic success story of the 2010-2011 Arab uprisings, has since been in turmoil.
On Sunday, several thousand people, including supporters of the Ennahdha movement, marched near the parliament in central Tunis, witnesses said.
Security forces sealed off nearby Bardo Square and entrances leading to it to prevent protesters from gathering there, they added.
Protesters chanted against Saied’s measures and accused him of monopolising power.
Some marchers chanted “the people want to bring down the coup” and “the people want to depose the president”.
Sunday’s rally came on the 66th anniversary of Tunisia’s Independence Day.
Saied, a former law professor who took office in 2019, defended his moves, saying they were in line with the constitution, and promised to safeguard freedoms and rights.
