Tunisia arrests more prominent opponents of president
France24Feb 14, 2023
Tunisian police on Monday arrested Noureddine Bhiri, a leading official in the largest and most prominent opposition party in Tunisia called "Ennahdha." Bhiri — an outspoken critic of Pres. Kais Saied — was arrested after authorities raided his home.
Authorities also reportedly arrested Noureddine Boutar, the head of Mosaique FM, a radio station that has frequently broadcasted criticism of Saied. Lazhar Akremi, a prominent political activist and lawyer, was also reportedly arrested.
President Saied is, yet again, using his power to strengthen his iron grip over Tunesia. Though he's said that he doesn't want to become an autocrat, his unscrupulous actions speak far louder. Using the growing pains of Tunisia's young democracy as a pretext, he has taken over the North African nation and is cracking down on dissent to guarantee his control over civil society. A national dialogue must be undertaken to save Tunisian democracy and align it with the norms of the international community.
Tunisians are tired of the corruption and dysfunction brought by the country's post-Arab Spring parties, namely the Islamist Ennahda party. Tunisia was on the brink of collapse before Saied dissolved parliament, and his actions were and continue to be necessary to maintain order and stability.