The demonstrators were concentrated in downtown Tunis (photo: Twitter/Ennhardha)
TUNISIA. 100,000 according to the organisers, 3,500 according to the official news agency TAP and between 6,000 and 8,000 according to police sources interviewed by local newspapers. A demonstration on Sunday 10 October 2021 in the streets of central Tunis made its voice heard against the coup de force of Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed.
Launched at the call of the Islamist party Ennahdha and various opposition groups, this protest movement resounded with slogans such as "Raise your voice, the revolution does not die", or "The people against the coup". Former president Moncef Marzouki (13 December 2011 to 31 December 2014) himself demonstrated in Paris the day before and declared himself, in a video on his Facebook page, in favour of the rally on Sunday "to defend the constitution, democracy, freedom and national sovereignty." He continued to call for the departure of Kaïs Saïed, "I have never seen Tunisia in the state it is in today. It is time to act." Moncef Marzouki said that the solution lies in the resignation of Kaïs Saïed and that of the president of the Parliament Rached Ghannouchi (leader of Ennahdha). "Free and transparent early elections can be organised after a period of forty-five days during which sovereignty can be returned to the people," he said.
Launched at the call of the Islamist party Ennahdha and various opposition groups, this protest movement resounded with slogans such as "Raise your voice, the revolution does not die", or "The people against the coup". Former president Moncef Marzouki (13 December 2011 to 31 December 2014) himself demonstrated in Paris the day before and declared himself, in a video on his Facebook page, in favour of the rally on Sunday "to defend the constitution, democracy, freedom and national sovereignty." He continued to call for the departure of Kaïs Saïed, "I have never seen Tunisia in the state it is in today. It is time to act." Moncef Marzouki said that the solution lies in the resignation of Kaïs Saïed and that of the president of the Parliament Rached Ghannouchi (leader of Ennahdha). "Free and transparent early elections can be organised after a period of forty-five days during which sovereignty can be returned to the people," he said.
A government in the next few hours
There were altercations in Tunis between demonstrators trying to cross the barriers set up by the police and the forces of order, as well as with some journalists, including two crews of the national television, taken to task.
The president's undivided rule, which began on 25 July 2021, nevertheless saw a surprise appointment on 29 September 2021 with the designation of Najla Bouden as Prime Minister. The government is still being formed, while on Saturday 9 October 2021, the President announced that it would be announced in the coming hours.
However, Kaïs Saïed keeps his grip on power. He has decided to chair the Council of Ministers himself and the Parliament remains suspended (deputies no longer receive their salaries) as do several chapters of the Constitution since 22 September 2021, with the Head of State governing by decree.
The president's undivided rule, which began on 25 July 2021, nevertheless saw a surprise appointment on 29 September 2021 with the designation of Najla Bouden as Prime Minister. The government is still being formed, while on Saturday 9 October 2021, the President announced that it would be announced in the coming hours.
However, Kaïs Saïed keeps his grip on power. He has decided to chair the Council of Ministers himself and the Parliament remains suspended (deputies no longer receive their salaries) as do several chapters of the Constitution since 22 September 2021, with the Head of State governing by decree.
