Authorities in Tunisia say at least five migrants have died and seven others are missing after their boat sank off the coast. The vessel, heading for Europe, was carrying 35 people, mostly Tunisian nationals, including women and children. Twenty-three passengers have been rescued. The boat capsized shortly after setting sail …
Read More »Tunisian President Kais Saied dismisses Prime Minister Bouden
Tunisian President Kais Saied has announced the dismissal of the country’s first female prime minister, Najla Bouden. Ms Bouden was hand-picked by President Saied to lead the government after he removed her predecessor two years ago and took control of almost all state powers. Her late-night dismissal was followed by …
Read More »Tunisia accused of mistreating black Africans
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Tunisian security agents of committing “serious abuses” against black African migrants attempting to get to Europe. The campaign group said it had interviewed more than 20 migrants and asylum seekers since March. Seven were among more than 1,000 black Africans expelled or forcibly transferred …
Read More »Tunisian justice sentenced opposition leader to a year in prison
A Tunisian court has sentenced opponent Rached Ghannouchi, leader of Ennahda party, to a year in prison, local media reported. The Ennahda party leader, who is a fierce critic of President Said Kaies, has been detained since last month after being arrested for allegedly plotting against state security and incitement. …
Read More »Heavy toll after two shipwrecks of migrant boats in Tunisia
Twenty-seven migrants from sub-Saharan Africa died or were missing after two shipwrecks on Friday and Saturday off the coast of Tunisia, a spokesman for the court in Sfax, in the center-east of the country, told AFP. These are at least the sixth and seventh shipwrecks since the beginning of March, …
Read More »Tunisian President Saied rejects speculation about his health
Tunisian President Kais Saied has appeared in a video posted on his official Facebook page, dismissing “mad” reports over his health following almost two weeks with no public engagements. The North African country’s main opposition coalition had pressed the government earlier to explain Saied’s public “absence”, saying it had information …
Read More »Tunisia forced to use its strategic oil stock
Internal and external factors had forced the Tunisian State to use its reserve stock of fuel, said the President and CEO of the Tunisian Company of Refining Industries (STIR), Fakhta Mahouachi on Thurday. According to Ms. Mahouachi, the next 24 hours will see an improvement in the supply of gas …
Read More »Tunisia: President Saied to order legislative elections
Tunisian President Kais Saied says draft decrees will be prepared for the holding of an election for a new parliament and a second chamber for regions. It came a day after preliminary results of a referendum indicated a controversial constitution was approved though turnout had been low. The president noted, …
Read More »Tunisia: opposition accuses electoral body of having “falsified” figures
A coalition of opposition parties in Tunisia, the National Salvation Front (FSN), on Tuesday accused the electoral body of having “falsified” turnout figures, arguing that President Kais Saied’s referendum had “failed”. A referendum was held on Monday on a new disputed Constitution which grants vast prerogatives to the President of …
Read More »Tunisia: President Saied’s happiness at the anticipated victory of the referendum
Tunisian President Kais Saied expressed happiness over his expected victory in the controversial referendum on the new constitution, which opponents called a way to return the country to one-man rule. Local media said Mr Saied appeared in front of jubilant supporters in the early hours of the morning – after …
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