Tunisia's Interior Minister Taoufik Charfeddine, who is President Kais Saied's close aide, on Friday announced that he has submitted his resignation so that he can spend more time with his three children after his wife's death last year.

Charfeddine, aged 54, was holding this position since October 2021. Speaking to the reporters, he said that he wants to thank the president for "his understanding and for allowing me to be relieved of my duties".

Charfeddine's wife died in a fire which broke out due to a gas leak in their home in June 2022. Charfeddine was a key figure in the election campaign which led Saied, who was previously little known, to the presidency in 2019.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tunisian-parliament-convenes-for-the-first-time-since-2021-suspension-heres-what-happened-571712">Tunisian parliament convenes for the first time since 2021 suspension. Here's what happened</a>

In a dramatic move in July 2021, Saied sacked the then government and froze the parliament, after which Charfeddine became his close adviser.

As President Saied worked through sweeping changes in the political system of the country, Charfeddine emerged as one of his most outspoken defenders.

Video footage of the frequent meetings of the two men in the presidential palace was regularly released by Saied's office. During the multiple arrests that took place during Saied's regime, Charfeddine continued holding a press conferences and defending the opposition politicians' incarceration.

When Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party's vice president went on hunger strike to raise his voice against his detention, Charfeddine said that fears of terrorism had forced the security forces to respond.

"There were fears of acts of terrorism targeting the country's security and we had to act," said the minister, while speaking about former justice minister Noureddine Bhiri's arrest.

WATCH | Tunisia: Massive protests against President, labour body holds show of strength

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Charfeddine stood by Saied's side last month as the country battled an international outcry over a tirade by the president against sub-Saharan Africa's illegal migrants.

"There is no question of allowing anyone in an illegal situation to stay in Tunisia," said the president during one of his recorded meetings with the minister.

"I will not allow the institutions of the state to be undermined or the demographic composition of Tunisia to be changed,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Tunisia's Interior Minister Taoufik Charfeddine, who is President Kais Saied's close aide, on Friday announced that he has submitted his resignation so that he can spend more time with his three children after his wife's death last year.

Tunisia's Interior Minister Taoufik Charfeddine, who is President Kais Saied's close aide, on Friday announced that he has submitted his resignation so that he can spend more time with his three children after his wife's death last year. Charfeddine, aged 54, was holding this position since October 2021. Speaking to the reporters, he said that he wants to thank the president for "his understanding and for allowing me to be relieved of my duties". Charfeddine's wife died in a fire which broke out due to a gas leak in their home in June 2022. Charfeddine was a key figure in the election campaign which led Saied, who was previously little known, to the presidency in 2019. ALSO READ | Tunisian parliament convenes for the first time since 2021 suspension. Here's what happened In a dramatic move in July 2021, Saied sacked the then government and froze the parliament, after which Charfeddine became his close adviser. As President Saied worked through sweeping changes in the political system of the country, Charfeddine emerged as one of his most outspoken defenders. Video footage of the frequent meetings of the two men in the presidential palace was regularly released by Saied's office. During the multiple arrests that took place during Saied's regime, Charfeddine continued holding a press conferences and defending the opposition politicians' incarceration. When Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party's vice president went on hunger strike to raise his voice against his detention, Charfeddine said that fears of terrorism had forced the security forces to respond. "There were fears of acts of terrorism targeting the country's security and we had to act," said the minister, while speaking about former justice minister Noureddine Bhiri's arrest. WATCH | Tunisia: Massive protests against President, labour body holds show of strength Charfeddine stood by Saied's side last month as the country battled an international outcry over a tirade by the president against sub-Saharan Africa's illegal migrants. "There is no question of allowing anyone in an illegal situation to stay in Tunisia," said the president during one of his recorded meetings with the minister. "I will not allow the institutions of the state to be undermined or the demographic composition of Tunisia to be changed,” he added. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Tunisia’s interior minister, a close aide of President Saied, resigns

The wave of arrests in Tunisia has continued for weeks as the authorities have made more than a dozen key arrests which include opposition politicians, prominent activists, a businessman, a media figure as well as two judges for supposedly criticising the north African country’s President Kais Saied. Additionally, the Tunisian authorities also said they arrested nearly 70 migrants over 48 hours for illegally attempting to enter the country, on Thursday (February 23) after Saied called for “urgent measures” against irregular immigrants.&nbsp;

Saied’s stance on migrants receives criticism from African Union

The arrests on Thursday near the Algerian border came two days after the Tunisian president ordered his security forces to stop all illegal migration and expel all undocumented migrants. This prompted additional arrests and fear among the sub-Saharan Africans as well as Black Tunisians, as per Reuters.&nbsp;

In his remarks, Saied said they needed to address the issue of “irregular immigrants from sub-Saharan countries, “with their lot of violence, crimes and unacceptable practices,” reported Associated Press.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tunisia-president-sacks-foreign-minister-amid-political-slugfest-economic-turmoil-559795">Tunisia president sacks foreign minister amid political slugfest, economic turmoil</a>

The Tunisian president also alleged that this uptick in undocumented immigration was a conspiracy for changing the country’s demographic makeup and stopping it from being an Arab and Muslim country. The comments made at the National Security Council meeting sparked outrage on social media from rights groups.

They also drew strong criticism and condemnation from&nbsp;the African Union (AU), which released a statement, late Friday, saying that it was in “deep shock and concern at the form and substance of the statement” by the Tunisian president. Subsequently, it went on to remind the country of its obligation as a part of the 55-nation bloc to treat migrants with dignity and avoid this “racialised hate speech” against them.&nbsp;

The next day, Tunisia’s Foreign Ministry called these accusations “baseless” and that they misunderstood the Saied government’s position. Additionally, Saied also said he was not being racist and that migrants living in Tunisia legally have nothing to fear. This incident also sparked protests in the capital city of Tunis where hundreds of people gathered against controversial remarks by the Tunisian President.&nbsp; 
 
Migrants arrested near&nbsp;Algerian border 
 
The authorities in Tunisia said on Thursday, they arrested&nbsp;69 migrants of various nationalities in the span of 48 hours for illegally entering the country. According to AP, while there is no official data on the number of&nbsp;sub-Saharan migrants,&nbsp;the approximate number could be nearly&nbsp;21,000 who are said to be entering predominantly from&nbsp;Algeria and Libya to eventually get to Europe.&nbsp;

Pre-detention trial for prominent critics of the president

According to the defence team of three prominent politicians and a high-profile businessman, an anti-terrorism investigative judge, on Saturday (February 25) decided to hold them in pre-trial detention, reported Reuters. This comes after they were arrested amid a wave of crackdowns on alleged Saied critics which led to dozens of arrests this month.&nbsp;

ALSO READ&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tunisia-thousands-protests-against-pres-policies-govt-expels-european-trade-union-chief-for-participating-563644">Tunisia: Govt expels ETUC chief for participating in protests against president’s policies</a> 
 
The four men in question will be the first to face a judicial hearing&nbsp;after being charged with conspiring against state security. However, some of the lawyers for the detainees of the four men as well as others said they were boycotting the hearings as the conditions of a fair trial were not met. Meanwhile, the Tunisian police, interior ministry and justice ministry have not commented on these allegations, as per Reuters.

The four men currently facing pre-trial detention are Abdelhamid Jlassi, a former senior official in the Islamist Ennahda party, former Finance Minister Khayam Turki, Republican Party leader Issam Chebbi and businessman Kamel Ltaif.&nbsp;

Notably, these arrests are seen as one of the biggest crackdowns on opponents and dissents since Saied’s power grab in 2021 where he sacked the government, froze parliament, and seized almost total power of the country after writing a new constitution, a move that many have termed a power grab and rivals called a coup.&nbsp;

Tunisian police arrest Ghazi Chaouachi

The Tunisian police, on Friday (February 24) arrested a prominent critic of the north African nation’s leader, Ghazi Chaouachi, said his son Elyess, as per Reuters. According to his son, at least 20 policemen searched their house and arrested Ghazi.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tunisian-police-arrest-prominent-political-activists-and-influential-businessman-561237">Tunisian police arrest prominent political activists and influential businessman</a>

Tunisian opposition announces new round of protests over the recent arrests

A Tunisian protest coalition, on Friday, announced holding a demonstration on March 5 against the ongoing arrests after senior figures of the National Salvation Front, an umbrella organisation which has brought political parties and protest groups together, reported Reuters. On the same day, the Tunisian police arrested one of the movement’s leaders, Jawher Ben Mbarek.&nbsp; 
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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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The wave of arrests in Tunisia has continued for weeks as the authorities have made more than a dozen key arrests which include opposition politicians, prominent activists, a businessman, a media figure as well as two judges for supposedly criticising the north African country’s President Kais Saied.

The wave of arrests in Tunisia has continued for weeks as the authorities have made more than a dozen key arrests which include opposition politicians, prominent activists, a businessman, a media figure as well as two judges for supposedly criticising the north African country’s President Kais Saied. Additionally, the Tunisian authorities also said they arrested nearly 70 migrants over 48 hours for illegally attempting to enter the country, on Thursday (February 23) after Saied called for “urgent measures” against irregular immigrants. Saied’s stance on migrants receives criticism from African Union The arrests on Thursday near the Algerian border came two days after the Tunisian president ordered his security forces to stop all illegal migration and expel all undocumented migrants. This prompted additional arrests and fear among the sub-Saharan Africans as well as Black Tunisians, as per Reuters. In his remarks, Saied said they needed to address the issue of “irregular immigrants from sub-Saharan countries, “with their lot of violence, crimes and unacceptable practices,” reported Associated Press. ALSO READ | Tunisia president sacks foreign minister amid political slugfest, economic turmoil The Tunisian president also alleged that this uptick in undocumented immigration was a conspiracy for changing the country’s demographic makeup and stopping it from being an Arab and Muslim country. The comments made at the National Security Council meeting sparked outrage on social media from rights groups. They also drew strong criticism and condemnation from the African Union (AU), which released a statement, late Friday, saying that it was in “deep shock and concern at the form and substance of the statement” by the Tunisian president. Subsequently, it went on to remind the country of its obligation as a part of the 55-nation bloc to treat migrants with dignity and avoid this “racialised hate speech” against them. The next day, Tunisia’s Foreign Ministry called these accusations “baseless” and that they misunderstood the Saied government’s position. Additionally, Saied also said he was not being racist and that migrants living in Tunisia legally have nothing to fear. This incident also sparked protests in the capital city of Tunis where hundreds of people gathered against controversial remarks by the Tunisian President. Migrants arrested near Algerian border The authorities in Tunisia said on Thursday, they arrested 69 migrants of various nationalities in the span of 48 hours for illegally entering the country. According to AP, while there is no official data on the number of sub-Saharan migrants, the approximate number could be nearly 21,000 who are said to be entering predominantly from Algeria and Libya to eventually get to Europe. Pre-detention trial for prominent critics of the president According to the defence team of three prominent politicians and a high-profile businessman, an anti-terrorism investigative judge, on Saturday (February 25) decided to hold them in pre-trial detention, reported Reuters. This comes after they were arrested amid a wave of crackdowns on alleged Saied critics which led to dozens of arrests this month. ALSO READ | Tunisia: Govt expels ETUC chief for participating in protests against president’s policies The four men in question will be the first to face a judicial hearing after being charged with conspiring against state security. However, some of the lawyers for the detainees of the four men as well as others said they were boycotting the hearings as the conditions of a fair trial were not met. Meanwhile, the Tunisian police, interior ministry and justice ministry have not commented on these allegations, as per Reuters. The four men currently facing pre-trial detention are Abdelhamid Jlassi, a former senior official in the Islamist Ennahda party, former Finance Minister Khayam Turki, Republican Party leader Issam Chebbi and businessman Kamel Ltaif. Notably, these arrests are seen as one of the biggest crackdowns on opponents and dissents since Saied’s power grab in 2021 where he sacked the government, froze parliament, and seized almost total power of the country after writing a new constitution, a move that many have termed a power grab and rivals called a coup. Tunisian police arrest Ghazi Chaouachi The Tunisian police, on Friday (February 24) arrested a prominent critic of the north African nation’s leader, Ghazi Chaouachi, said his son Elyess, as per Reuters. According to his son, at least 20 policemen searched their house and arrested Ghazi. ALSO READ | Tunisian police arrest prominent political activists and influential businessman Tunisian opposition announces new round of protests over the recent arrests A Tunisian protest coalition, on Friday, announced holding a demonstration on March 5 against the ongoing arrests after senior figures of the National Salvation Front, an umbrella organisation which has brought political parties and protest groups together, reported Reuters. On the same day, the Tunisian police arrested one of the movement’s leaders, Jawher Ben Mbarek. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Tunisian president calls for expulsion of migrants as crackdown on his critics continues

The leader of Tunisia's major opposition alliance said on Sunday (December 18) that President Kais Saied should "leave immediately." His words came just a day after voters in the country overwhelmingly snubbed elections for a neutered parliament. As per the country's electoral board, only 8.8 per cent of the nine-million-strong electorate had turned out for Saturday's polls. The polls were a culmination of a power grab by Saied in the only democracy to have emerged from the Arab Spring.

An abstention rate of more than 91 per cent "shows that very, very few Tunisians support Kais Saied's approach", Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, president of the National Salvation Front, told AFP by telephone. He said&nbsp;Saturday's election was a 'fiasco'&nbsp;and called for mass protests to demand snap presidential elections.&nbsp;The vote was boycotted by most opposition parties.

He said that the result represented "great popular disavowal" of the process that began when Saied, elected in 2019, seized executive powers last year.

In July 2021, Saied sacked the government, froze parliament and surrounded it with military vehicles. This was followed by months of political deadlock and economic crisis.

Saied, a former law professor, followed up by seizing control of the judiciary and pushing through a constitution that consolidates his near-absolute power in a widely boycotted referendum in July.

Saied's moves, a decade after ouster of dictator Ben Ali, have raised fears of a return to autocracy.

The National Salvation Front, which includes Saied's nemesis the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, boycotted Saturday's election, saying it was part of a "coup" against Tunisia's democracy.

The ballot for the new 161-seat assembly followed three weeks of barely noticeable campaigning, with few posters in the streets and no serious debate among a public preoccupied with day-to-day economic survival.

Saied's moves were initially supported by some Tunisians tired of the messy and sometimes corrupt democratic system installed after the revolution.

But almost a year and half on, the country's economic woes have gone from bad to worse and inflation is higher than Saturday's voter turnout.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The leader of Tunisia's major opposition alliance said on Sunday (December 18) that President Kais Saied should "leave immediately." His words came just a day after voters in the country overwhelmingly snubbed elections for a neutered parliament.

The leader of Tunisia's major opposition alliance said on Sunday (December 18) that President Kais Saied should "leave immediately." His words came just a day after voters in the country overwhelmingly snubbed elections for a neutered parliament. As per the country's electoral board, only 8.8 per cent of the nine-million-strong electorate had turned out for Saturday's polls. The polls were a culmination of a power grab by Saied in the only democracy to have emerged from the Arab Spring. An abstention rate of more than 91 per cent "shows that very, very few Tunisians support Kais Saied's approach", Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, president of the National Salvation Front, told AFP by telephone. He said Saturday's election was a 'fiasco' and called for mass protests to demand snap presidential elections. The vote was boycotted by most opposition parties. He said that the result represented "great popular disavowal" of the process that began when Saied, elected in 2019, seized executive powers last year. In July 2021, Saied sacked the government, froze parliament and surrounded it with military vehicles. This was followed by months of political deadlock and economic crisis. Saied, a former law professor, followed up by seizing control of the judiciary and pushing through a constitution that consolidates his near-absolute power in a widely boycotted referendum in July. Saied's moves, a decade after ouster of dictator Ben Ali, have raised fears of a return to autocracy. The National Salvation Front, which includes Saied's nemesis the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, boycotted Saturday's election, saying it was part of a "coup" against Tunisia's democracy. The ballot for the new 161-seat assembly followed three weeks of barely noticeable campaigning, with few posters in the streets and no serious debate among a public preoccupied with day-to-day economic survival. Saied's moves were initially supported by some Tunisians tired of the messy and sometimes corrupt democratic system installed after the revolution. But almost a year and half on, the country's economic woes have gone from bad to worse and inflation is higher than Saturday's voter turnout. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Tunisia opposition calls 8.8% voter turnout poll ‘fiasco’, tells President Kais Saied to step down

A day after Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi was ousted, Tunisian President Kais Saied sacked defence minister Ibrahim Bartaji and acting justice minister Hasna Ben Slimane.

Watch:

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The move follows protests against the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic as troops marched into Tunis to restore order. The political crisis has been heightened as&nbsp;coronavirus deaths climbed&nbsp;to over 18,000 in the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pictures-from-jasmine-revolution-to-parliament-suspension-10-years-of-tunisia-since-its-arab-spring-revolt-400693">Pictures | From Jasmine Revolution to Parliament suspension: 10 years of Tunisia since its Arab Spring revolt</a>

President Saied said he had "taken the necessary decisions to save Tunisia, the state and the Tunisian people". Saied had declared that the Parliament will be suspended for the next 30 days due to "imminent danger".

Clashes erupted on the streets of Tunisia after Saied dismissed Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Justice minister Hasna Ben Slimane was also the government spokesman.

The political crisis has been heightened amid deadlock and disputes between Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and lawmakers as Saied invoked emergency powers under the constitution to dismiss PM Mechichi.

Amid the deteriorating situation, the Biden administration urged Tunisia to adhere to "democratic principles"&nbsp;while the French foreign ministry called "on all of the country's political forces to avoid any form of violence and to preserve the country's democratic gains."

(With inputs from Agencies)

A day after Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi was ousted, Tunisian President Kais Saied sacked defence minister Ibrahim Bartaji and acting justice minister Hasna Ben Slimane.

A day after Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi was ousted, Tunisian President Kais Saied sacked defence minister Ibrahim Bartaji and acting justice minister Hasna Ben Slimane. Watch: The move follows protests against the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic as troops marched into Tunis to restore order. The political crisis has been heightened as coronavirus deaths climbed to over 18,000 in the country. Pictures | From Jasmine Revolution to Parliament suspension: 10 years of Tunisia since its Arab Spring revolt President Saied said he had "taken the necessary decisions to save Tunisia, the state and the Tunisian people". Saied had declared that the Parliament will be suspended for the next 30 days due to "imminent danger". Clashes erupted on the streets of Tunisia after Saied dismissed Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. Justice minister Hasna Ben Slimane was also the government spokesman. The political crisis has been heightened amid deadlock and disputes between Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and lawmakers as Saied invoked emergency powers under the constitution to dismiss PM Mechichi. Amid the deteriorating situation, the Biden administration urged Tunisia to adhere to "democratic principles" while the French foreign ministry called "on all of the country's political forces to avoid any form of violence and to preserve the country's democratic gains." (With inputs from Agencies)

After dismissing PM, Tunisia president sacks defence minister