Tunisia: Anger simmers after water and electricity cuts

In Tunis, the heat is no longer the only source of frustration. Several hundred people demonstrated on Thursday, August 20, to denounce water and electricity cuts, the rising cost of living, and the erosion of freedoms. Slogans directly targeted President Kaïs Saïed, with some demonstrators calling for his resignation.

The rally, organized by the Nafas collective, brought together opposition activists, citizens, and young participants. Their demands focused on both everyday hardships and the country's political situation.

Tunisia is experiencing a summer marked by extreme temperatures, with highs of up to 50 degrees Celsius recorded in some regions. Faced with record electricity consumption, the state-owned utility is resorting to load shedding to prevent overloading the grid.

These outages are also disrupting access to drinking water, as pumping stations rely on electricity. In several neighborhoods, residents had to wait to obtain water, while bottled water became scarce due to difficulties experienced by some factories.

Beyond water and electricity, protesters are also denouncing rising prices, medicine shortages, and declining purchasing power. Some are also calling for the release of political prisoners and greater freedoms for the media and civil society.

Since 2021, Kaïs Saïed has concentrated a large share of power in his hands after suspending Parliament and dismissing the government. His opponents denounce this slide towards authoritarianism, while the president claims he wants to fight corruption and preserve the country's sovereignty.

The rise in social movements, particularly in regions facing water shortages and power outages, reflects growing frustrations. For Tunisian authorities, the challenge now is to sustainably restore essential services while simultaneously addressing increasingly visible political protests.

Yolande Bazié