• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Africa

Hundreds protest in Tunis against president’s plan for constitution

19 June 2022, 2:08 PM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
FILE PHOTO: Tunisian President Kais Saied takes the oath of office in Tunis, Tunisia, October 23, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: Tunisian President Kais Saied takes the oath of office in Tunis, Tunisia, October 23, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi/File Photo

Image: Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Tunisian President Kais Saied takes the oath of office in Tunis, Tunisia, October 23, 2019. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi/File Photo

Hundreds of people demonstrated in Tunis on Sunday in the second day of protest against a constitutional referendum called by President Kais Saied that his opponents say would cement his hold on power.

The demonstration was organised by the Salvation Front, a coalition including the moderate Islamist Ennahda, the largest party in a parliament that Saied dissolved in March.

It followed a similar protest on Saturday called by the Free Constitutional Party over the referendum, and a strike on Thursday by a powerful labour union over government economic reform plans, which brought much of the county to a standstill.

The president’s supporters say he is standing up to elite forces whose bungling and corruption have condemned Tunisia to a decade of political paralysis and economic stagnation.

The head of the country’s constitution committee said on Saturday he will hand over the new draft of what he described as a democratic constitution to the president on Monday, ahead of a July 25 referendum.

The country’s main political parties say they will boycott the plebiscite. But opposition to Saied remains fragmented, as shown by the separate demonstrations at the weekend.

On Sunday, protesters marched through central Tunis to Avenue Habib Bourguiba, watched by a heavy police presence.

“Saied must leave… The people on the streets are constantly against you Saied,” activist Chaima Issa told Reuters. “The UGTT (union) went on strike, and judges are protesting. Do you want to rule a people that reject you?”

Judges in Tunisia on Saturday extended their national strikefor a third week in protest against a decision by Saied to sack 57 judges on June 1.

The president accused them of corruption and protecting terrorists – charges that the Tunisian Judges’ Association said were mostly politically motivated.

Saied’s move heightened accusations at home and abroad that he has consolidated one-man rule after assuming executive powers last summer and setting aside the 2014 constitution to rule by decree.

Share article
Previous Post

UK recieves backlash on plans to deport asylum seekers

Next Post

SMME’s appealing for access to renewable energy

Related Posts

Tunisian judges carry banners during a protest against a decision by President Kais Saied to sack many of them.

Three Tunisian judges’ unions suspend strike started a month ago

4 July 2022, 12:00 PM
Ghana's President Nana Akufo Addo, ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou and Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara attend the ECOWAS summit to discuss transitional roadmap for Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, in Accra, Ghana, July 3, 2022.

West African leaders lift economic and financial sanctions on Mali

4 July 2022, 4:05 AM
United States Secretary applauds Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta for helping restore peace between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

US government applauds Kenyatta for peace negotiations

3 July 2022, 4:47 PM
Presidential candidate Kais Saied speaks during an interview with Reuters, as the country awaits the official results of the presidential election, in Tunis, Tunisia September 17, 2019. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed/File Photo

Tunisian constitution panel head blasts president’s draft

3 July 2022, 4:47 PM
Protesters set fire to the Libyan parliament building after protests against the failure of the government in Tobruk, Libya July 1, 2022.

Libyan protest movement says it will step up its campaign

3 July 2022, 4:51 AM
People protest against a power outage inside Martyrs' Square, in Tripoli, Libya July 1, 2022. REUTERS/Hazem Ahmed

Angry protests against feuding leaders grip Libyan cities

2 July 2022, 4:34 PM
Next Post
Shop owner left in darkness due to rolling blackouts.

SMME's appealing for access to renewable energy

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • Interpol arrests suspect for swindling US citizens millions of dollars
  • Missing Soweto boy’s body found at Eldorado Park wastewater plant
  • Police close investigation into Enyobeni tavern tragedy
  • Taxi commuters to pay an additional R5 in fare from Friday
  • LISTICLE: Enyobeni Tavern saga – What we know
  • Interpol arrests suspect for swindling US citizens millions of dollars
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

Serving of oysters seen at a restaurant
  • Lifestyle

Annual Oyster festival under way in Knysna


(File Image) A bat and cricket balls seen on a pitch.
  • Sport
  • Cricket

Fans hope Pujara shines as India, England resume play on day four


Former Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela.
  • Politics

Those involved in the web of State Capture should be offered amnesty to come clean: Madonsela


Tunisian judges carry banners during a protest against a decision by President Kais Saied to sack many of them.
  • Africa

Three Tunisian judges’ unions suspend strike started a month ago


FILE PHOTO: Judge Raymond Zondo hands the State Capture report to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
  • Politics

Madonsela optimistic that those implicated in State Capture will be charged


A medical worker in a protective suit collects a swab from  residents.
  • Sci-tech

Several eastern Chinese areas in mass COVID testing to curb new waves of infections


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous UK recieves backlash on plans to deport asylum seekers
Next SMME’s appealing for access to renewable energy