Unions and rights groups demanded an apology from Tunisia’s interior minister on Wednesday after he lashed out at media and political party “traitors”, as authorities face heavy criticism over a crackdown against the opposition. Speaking during a visit to the border with Libya on Tuesday, Interior Minister Taoufik Charfeddine attacked “the media, who have become mercenaries, businessmen, trade unionists and parties who have sold out the nation”. “They are traitors,” he said in a video shared by his ministry, urging Tunisians to support “honest and patriotic” President Kais Saied. More than 20 political figures have been arrested in the North African country in recent weeks, mainly outspoken opponents of Saied. Saied has accused those arrested of “terrorism” and causing recurrent food shortages as well as plotting against the state.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 09, 2023 03:25 UTC