Northern African country Tunisia has lurched further into political uncertainty after President Kais Saied dismissed more officials, just days after he sacked the prime minister, froze the country Parliament and assumed executive powers.
After suspending Parliament and sacking Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi on Sunday, and firing the defense and justice ministers a day later, Saied ordered the dismissal of several top officials late on Tuesday evening.
The 63-year-old president, a former law lecturer and political newcomer who won a landslide 2019 presidential election victory issued decrees sacking a long list of senior government officials, including the army’s chief prosecutor.
On Wednesday, he dismissed the CEO of the national television channel Wataniya.
In addition, he has lifted the parliamentary immunity of lawmakers and assumed judicial powers. He has also ordered an investigation into three political parties suspected of receiving foreign funds before the elections in 2019.
Key civil society groups warned in a joint statement against any “illegitimate” extension of Saied’s 30-day suspension of Parliament and demanded a timeline for political action.
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