TUNISIAN President Kais Saied has announced a sweeping cabinet reshuffle, replacing 19 ministers including those for defence, foreign affairs, and the economy. This dramatic move comes just weeks before the presidential election scheduled for October 6, as Saied faces mounting political pressure and widespread public discontent.
The presidency statement revealed Khaled Shili as the new defence minister and Mohamed Ali Nafti taking over foreign affairs. This reshuffle follows Saied’s recent dismissal of Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani, who was replaced by Kamel Maddouri, formerly the social affairs minister. Notably, the ministers of finance, justice, and interior retained their positions.
This cabinet overhaul occurs against a backdrop of severe economic crisis and growing public frustration over persistent water and electricity shortages across Tunisia. While the government attributes water scarcity to ongoing drought conditions necessitating a quota system, Saied has controversially claimed the water cuts are part of a conspiracy targeting his re-election bid, insisting that the country’s dams are full.
The reshuffle appears to be a desperate attempt by Saied to inject new energy into his administration and appeal to voters as he faces significant challenges to his leadership. Since consolidating power in 2021 by shutting down the elected parliament, Saied has implemented a series of measures widely criticized as anti-democratic, sparking fierce opposition from citizens and rights groups alike.
As Saied prepares to run for re-election against two other candidates, Tunisian opposition parties and human rights organizations have accused the authorities of employing arbitrary restrictions and intimidation tactics to exclude potential contenders, effectively clearing the path for Saied’s re-election.
This cabinet shake-up represents the latest chapter in Tunisia’s ongoing political crisis, as Saied struggles to maintain his grip on power amid growing dissatisfaction with his governance and concerns over the country’s democratic future.
