Tunisians escalate protests against Saied, demanding return of democracy

Tunisians escalate protests against Saied, demanding return of democracy
Reuters

Hundreds of Tunisians took to the streets on Saturday, chanting against “injustice and repression” and accusing President Kais Saied of tightening one-man rule through the judiciary and police.

Ezzedine Hazgui, father of jailed opposition figure Jawhar Ben Mbarek, said the majority of Tunisians now oppose Saied’s leadership. “Kais Saied wants to blow up the country with his divisive speeches and ridiculous trials,” he said, adding that “we are all in a prison now… the man has put all the institutions in his pocket.”

Activist Ayoub Amara echoed those concerns, saying the current system had erased many of the achievements since Tunisia’s 2011 revolution. “One narrative, one colour, one opinion, one story,” he said. “Tunisia is big enough for all Tunisians.”

Protesters ended the march chanting the familiar slogan of the Arab Spring: “The people want the fall of the regime.”

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