Tensions in Tunisia after government ousted

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied invoked the constitution to oust the government of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and freeze parliament for 30 days, in a move his critics call a coup


TUNISIA TIMELINE – SINCE 2010 JASMINE REVOLUTION

Jan 2011
Tunisian ruler Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali (left) forced from power by popular uprising that sparks series of revolts across Arab world

Oct: Tunisia’s first free election sees Islamist party Ennahda
win most seats in parliament

2013-14: Assassination of secular opposition leader Chokri Belaid (right) sparks mass street protests. Ennahda relinquishes power to technocratic government

2015: Two attacks by so-called Islamic State militants kill 60 people at Bardo museum in Tunis and beach resort in Sousse. Attacks severely impact Tunisia’s vital tourism industry

Dec 2017: Economy approaches crisis point amid high unemployment and rising inflation rate

Oct 2019: Voters display dissatisfaction with major parties, first electing fractured parliament and then political outsider Kais Saied as president

Sep 2020: Parliament approves technocratic government to focus on reform of public finances

Jan 2021
New protests erupt over accusations of police brutality and unemployment worsened by Covid-19 pandemic

July 25: Following violent mass protests, Saied (above) sacks prime minister Hichem Mechichi and suspends parliament. Opponents accuse Saied of staging coup


ALGERIA
Tunis
Sousse
TUNISIA
Mediterranean Sea
LIBYA
100km 60 miles


Source: Reuters
Pictures: Getty Images, Wikimedia
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