Tunisia’s president launches new round of dismissals

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has sacked the country’s ambassador to the United States and the governor of Sfax province.

It has been the latest in a string of dismissals in the recent past.

On July 25, the president dismissed Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and suspended parliament for 30 days, in a move denounced as a “coup” by the biggest political party Ennahda.

The Tunisian president said at the time that his decision was meant to “save Tunisia, the state, and the Tunisian people,” following mass protests in several cities against the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said he would assume executive authority “with the help” of a government whose new chief he would appoint himself.

Following his takeover, Saied dismissed defense, justice, economy and communications technology ministers and several top officials, and announced a crackdown against corruption.

On Tuesday, the presidency announced the ousting of Ambassador Nejmeddine Lakhal and Governor Anis Oueslati.

No explanation was given for the latest dismissals.

Tunisia unions call for speedy formation of new government

Nine days after the ousting of the prime minister, the powerful UGTT trade union called on President Saied to rapidly form a new government.

“We call for speeding up the appointment of a head of government” and as “a smaller and harmonious rescue government,” the union said in a statement on Tuesday.

The UGTT, which had backed Saied’s measures, said any delay in forming a new government risked worsening the political vacuum in the country. It would also “make it difficult to emerge from the current social and economic crisis.”

SS