Anger is brewing in Tunisia after a fourth night of clashes between populations and law enforcement in several cities across the country. The economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has passed and caused this situation of social upheaval. Dozens of protesters, mostly minors between the ages of 17 and 14, were arrested.
Braving the curfew put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus, young Tunisian protesters faced the police for a fourth night in a row. These clashes occur in a context of political instability and the deterioration of the social situation in Tunisia. Rising unemployment is one of the main causes of this uprising. Calls for demonstrations were launched as Tunisia commemorates the tenth anniversary of the “Jasmine revolution”.
In recent days, clashes have taken place in several working-class neighborhoods including Tunis, Bizerte, Menzel Bourguiba (north), Sousse and Nabeul (east), Kasserine and Siliana (north-west). Popular discontent which puts pressure on Tunisian Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi. Indeed, he announced on Saturday a cabinet reshuffle which will notably concern the Ministries of the Interior, Justice and Energy.
The month of January is regularly the scene of mobilizations in Tunisia, because this period marks the anniversary of several major social and democratic struggles. But local residents believe that this looting is the work of idle young people who just want to steal and have fun. “If we protest, it will be daytime and with our face uncovered,” said a resident of Ettadhamen. Others, on the other hand, argue that it is the police who are targeted.
