Supporters of Tunisia’s Saied gather as political divisions deepen
Supporters of Tunisian President Kais Saied gathered in the capital on Wednesday and denounced the opposition as “traitors,” in the wake of growing street demonstrations in recent weeks that exposed deepening political rifts.
The opposing rallies take place in the midst of a worsening economic crisis that has stoked popular ire due to excessive inflation, shortages of some necessities, and subpar public services.
Rights organizations claim Saied is using the police and judiciary to suppress dissent, accusing him of an unprecedented crackdown on the opposition. Rejecting the charges, Saied claims he is ridding the nation of traitors and a dishonest ruling class.
In central Tunis, protesters gathered with national flags in hand and chanted slogans in support of Saied, whom they believe is taking on corruption and powerful political elites.
They called Saied’s opponents “traitors” and accused them of attempting to destabilize the nation. They were shouting “people want Saied again” as well as “we support the leadership and sovereignty” .
Protester Saleh Ghiloufi declared, “We are here to save Tunisia from traitors and colonial lackeys.”
The arrests of opposition figures, the opening of a new tab, and journalists and civil society organizations, according to Saied’s detractors, highlight the president’s authoritarian tilt since he assumed exceptional powers in 2021 to rule by decree.
A statewide strike has been announced for next month by the influential UGTT union.
In what critics claim is another move to solidify Saied’s one-man rule, a Tunisian court last week sentenced well-known opposition politician Abir Moussi to 12 years in prison.
On allegations of conspiring to remove Saied, dozens of opposition leaders, businesspeople, and attorneys were sentenced to up to 45 years in prison by an appeals court last month.
Despite having a landslide victory in 2019, Saied’s consolidation of power has frightened both local opponents and foreign allies, who fear Tunisia is moving away from democratic rule.
