On Friday, Tunisian President Kais Said sacked the trade minister and governor of Sfax, the country’s second city, amid an economic crisis and strong political divisions.
Al-Rabihi bint Hamzah, who was appointed Minister of Commerce and Export Development in November 2021, became the first member of Naglaa Boden’s government to be sacked by Saeed.
Saeed also decided to “step down as governor of Sfax, Fakher al-Fahfah”, whom he appointed in June 2022.
Sfax, a large industrial city in central-eastern Tunisia with a population of one million, has seen demonstrations since 2021 against the accumulation of garbage on streets and sidewalks, which threatens public health.
The two firings came in the context of political tensions as the country has been deeply divided ever since Said decided to monopolize power on July 25, 2021, then appointed a new government, amended the 2014 constitution and approved new parliamentary elections at the end. of the year.
Tunisia has been hit again by the war in Ukraine, pushing up the price of grains and butter, which it imports in large quantities.
The political and financial crises of recent months have resulted in shortages of some basic foodstuffs, milk, sugar, rice and coffee, and reduced purchasing power due to accelerating inflation (about 10% per annum in December).
