In a surprising move, Tunisian President Kais Saied has dismissed Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani, appointing Social Affairs Minister Kamel Maddouri as his successor. The announcement came late Wednesday via a statement from the Tunisian presidency.
Hachani, who had been serving as prime minister since August of last year, highlighted in a video message just hours before his dismissal that the government had made significant strides in addressing various challenges, including securing the nation’s food and energy needs despite global obstacles.
The ousting of Hachani occurs amid widespread discontent over persistent water and electricity outages affecting numerous regions across Tunisia. The government attributes these issues to a prolonged drought, necessitating a quota system for water distribution.
However, President Saied has controversially labeled the water cuts as a premeditated conspiracy timed ahead of the presidential election, contradicting the agriculture ministry’s warning that dam levels have critically dropped to 25 percent.
Adding to the political turmoil, President Saied recently announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections in October. This move has drawn significant criticism from opposition parties, human rights organisations, and fellow candidates, who accuse him of using intimidation tactics to suppress competition and clear his path to a second term.
The developments mark a turbulent period for Tunisia as the nation grapples with both political instability and severe resource shortages. The appointment of Kamel Maddouri as the new prime minister will be closely watched as Tunisians hope for effective leadership to navigate through these pressing challenges.
Melissa Enoch
Follow us on:
