Hundreds demonstrate in Tunisia to demand Saied’s departure

TUNIS, Tunisia (AA) – Hundreds demonstrated in Tunisia on Saturday to demand the departure of President Kais Saied amid a months-long political crisis in the North African country.

The protest was organized by the opposition National Salvation Front (NSF) on the 12th anniversary of a popular uprising that ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.

Protesters in the capital Tunis chanted slogans demanding Saied’s departure from power, according to an Anadolu reporter.

Addressing protesters, NSF chairman Ahmed Najib Chebbi called for putting an end to what he called a “coup” staged by the Tunisian president.

“This coup has destroyed the economy, and persecuted Tunisians,” he said, blaming Saied for the soaring living costs in the country.

“Saied must go and end his rule,” Chebbi said.

There was no comment from the Tunisian authorities on the protest.

Tunisia has been in the throes of a deep political crisis that aggravated the country's economic conditions since 2021, when Saied ousted the government and dissolved parliament.

Since then, Saied held a referendum to draft a new constitution in July 2022 and parliamentary elections last December.

While Saied insists that his measures were meant to "save" the country, critics have accused him of orchestrating a coup.

* Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report