Thousands of Tunisians have demonstrated against President Kais Saied as the country faces a deepening political and economic crisis.
Crowds gathered in the capital Tunis to demand his government.
Tunisians who support Mr. Saied from coming to power in 2021 are increasingly frustrated with the economic situation.
The protests come 12 years to the day since former dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was forced into exile.
The Tunisian uprising is often held up as the lone success of the Arab Spring uprisings in the region – but it did not bring stability, economically or politically.
With debt piling up, the country has struggled to import basic goods, including staples such as coffee, milk and sugar.
The government has so far been unable to secure an international bailout leading one protester to tell the AFP news agency “the coup has brought us hunger and poverty”.
In central Tunis on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, a traditional site for demonstrations, Said Anouar Ali, 34, said: “Tunisia is going through the most dangerous time in its history.
“Saied took control of all authority and struck in democracy. The economy collapsed. We will not be silent,” he said.
Protests in the capital were organized by two different opposition groups with police stationed outside the Ministry of Interior to prevent scuffles.
On their own, the protesters are also against Mr. Saied’s near-total power.
In 2021, the president fired the prime minister, suspended the parliament and pushed for a constitution that imposed one-man rule.
The new constitution replaces one drawn up shortly after the Arab Spring in 2011, which saw Tunisia oust the late dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. It gives the head of state full executive control and supreme command of the army.
Mr Saied justified his actions by saying he needed new powers to break the cycle of political paralysis and economic decay.
Source: BBC
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