Overview
- Thousands of people marched in central Tunis on the July 25 anniversary to demand Saied’s resignation and the release of political prisoners after five years of rule by decree.
- The protests were organised by Nafas, a coalition of opposition parties and independents, and drew citizens protesting power cuts, high food prices and joblessness in cities across the capital.
- The government has tightened control since 2021 by dismissing judges, restricting media, and prosecuting leading opposition figures, a pattern critics say has hollowed out democratic institutions.
- Rached Ghannouchi, the 85-year-old former speaker and Ennahdha leader, was sentenced in June to life in prison and has reportedly suffered health decline and fainting episodes in the hot conditions of Mornaguia prison.
- International pressure is rising, with U.S. Representative Joe Wilson publicly urging a 'Do Not Travel' advisory and targeted sanctions, a development that highlights Tunisia’s growing diplomatic isolation and its economic decline.