BRUSSELS – The European Union’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell on Tuesday called for a speedy return to stability in Tunisia after the country plunged into turmoil following the president’s ousting of the prime minister.
“We call for the restoration of institutional stability as soon as possible, and in particular for the resumption of parliamentary activity, respect for fundamental rights and an abstention from all forms of violence,” Borrell said in a statement.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a phone call with Tunisian President Kais Saied on Monday, has encouraged him “to adhere to the principles of democracy and human rights.”
Blinken “urged President Saied to maintain open dialogue with all political actors and the Tunisian people, noting that the United States would continue to monitor the situation and stay engaged,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement on Monday.
On Monday, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that the US is concerned about developments in Tunisia and urged calm in the country.
President Kais Saied prohibited the movement of people and vehicles from 7 pm until 6 am, starting Monday and lasting until August 27, with the exception of urgent health cases and night workers, the presidency said on Monday in a statement posted on Facebook.
President Saied also reinforced a long existing rule that bans public gatherings of three or more people in streets or squares.
The international attention came after Saied dismissed Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and closed down the parliament for 30 days — after months of anti-government protests, institutional conflicts and political instability.
Large crowds quickly poured into the streets to support his moves, reflecting anger at Islamist Ennahda Party, which is affiliated to Muslim Brotherhood terrorist group, over political paralysis, economic stagnation and the pandemic response.
The economy shrank 8 per cent last year. Tunisia has one of the highest Covid-19 death rates in the region. On Monday, Tunisia’s hard-currency bonds tumbled.
Michechi spoke late on Monday for the first time since being ousted from his position. He expressed his willingness to hand over power to whomever Saied picks as his successor.
“I will hand over the responsibility to the person chosen by the president of the republic to head the government,” Mechichi said. “I can never be a disruptive element or part of the problem that complicates the situation.”
