Summary:

Over the weekend of 13 and 14 January 2024, multiple protests took place in central Tunis, affirming frustrations amongst Tunisians. 

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On Saturday, 13 January, protesters gathered on Avenue Habib Bourghiba to decry Israeli military operations in Gaza, estimated to have killed 24,000 Palestinians. The protesters joined others globally who gathered to mark 100 days of war in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire. 

On Sunday, 14 January, the National Salvation Front (NSF) held a protest on Avenue Habib Bourghiba, marking the 13th anniversary of the Tunisian revolution which overthrew former President Ben Ali. The date of 14 January was previously the date upon which the revolution was marked, however, the official date was moved by President Kais Saied in December 2021. 

The NSF, a loose coalition of President Saied’s political opponents, voiced disapproval of the President’s reform program and threatened to continue boycotting elections. The NSF claimed that some election boycotts could end if all political prisoners are released. 

Outlook: 

The weekend protests point to ongoing tensions in the international and domestic environment in Tunisia.  

These issues hold the potential to generate frustration that could lead to additional demonstrations and other expressions of anger toward the current government and its policies.  

Many working class Tunisians are focused on providing for their families in the face of rising prices and inflation leading to a general apathy toward politics. However, the overlapping political, economic, and international issues at play in Tunisia create an environment that is vulnerable to various escalations, including in the form of civil unrest if pressure on communities becomes too great. 

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