The intervention by Tunisia's president last month to sack his prime minister and suspend Parliament is in line with the Tunisia's Constitution and is not a coup, writes the Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to South Africa, Narjes Dridi.
On Sunday 25 July, 2021, thousands of Tunisians celebrated President Kais Saied’s decision when he invoked an emergency act, Article 80, from Tunisia’s Constitution removing Prime Minister, Hichem Mechichi and suspending the Parliament’s activities for 30 days.
Earlier in the day thousands had taken to the streets on Republic Day to demonstrate and voice their anger over increasing Covid-19 cases and the deepening economic crisis, calling out the political elite and leadership.
Protesters hold them responsible for the increasing deterioration of the economic situation and social unrest.
The protesters demanded action against the mishandling of a massive recent spike in Covid cases, the general unrest over the nation’s economic and social turmoil, and called for intervention,And President Saied stepped in, by enacting the power he is granted by the Constitution.
Across the country, from north to south, excited crowds cheered and applauded the President’s intervention. There was nothing contrived about these celebrations.
The desire for change in Tunisia has been brewing.Tunisians have been fed up with years of economic trouble. Parliament had become synonymous with political divisions and lack of cohesion. The stability of the country was at risk, and a national security threat was at hand.
According to a poll conducted by Emrhod Consulting and published on 28 July 2021, 87% of the 900 Tunisians surveyed supported the President’s move. Only 3% opposed him. His popularity isn’t newfound. In the second round run-offs of 2019’s presidential election, the former constitutional law professor registered more than 70 percent of the total number of votes cast for presidency.
In the days since the President’s intervention, the online debate over what it signifies rages on. As it is a matter of interpreting the substance of article 80, his detractors call Saied’s move a coup and have branded his backers anti-democratic.
It is essential to clarify that the President embodies the unity the State, who is also the guarantor of its independence and the custodian of respecting the Constitution.
The political decisions announced on 25 July were taken in accordance with item 80 of the Constitution, which allows the President of the Republic to take appropriate measures, in case of any imminent national security threat. President Saied was well within his rights and mandate to implement the measures taken.
Tunisia WILL remain on its path of democracy.
The President’s commitment to the principles of human rights and civil liberties, as well as the country’s strong and dynamic civil society, will ensure there is no setback.
It is time for the international community to support this process of maintaining democracy, at the will of the majority of Tunisians.
- Narjes Dridi is the Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to South Africa.
To receive Opinions Weekly, sign up for the newsletter here.
*Want to respond to the columnist? Send your letter or article to opinions@news24.com with your name and town or province. You are welcome to also send a profile picture. We encourage a diversity of voices and views in our readers' submissions and reserve the right not to publish any and all submissions received.
Disclaimer: News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24.