Protests reignite in Tunisia as Covid lockdown hits hard

A decade after transition to democracy, Tunisia's young population describe growing despair

Protesters and police square off on Avenue Habib Bourguiba on Tuesday. Erin Clare Brown / The National

A young protester washes her eyes with Coca-Cola after being pepper sprayed by police in downtown Tunis Tuesday. Erin Clare Brown / The National

Police shoving protesters after deploying tear gas. Erin Clare Brown / The National

Protesters and police square off on Avenue Habib Bourguiba on Tuesday. Erin Clare Brown / The National

Antigovernment protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National

Anti-government protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National

Anti-government protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National

Anti-government protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National

Protesters stand amidst fumes as they block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP

A scene of overnight clashes between members of the Tunisian security forces and rioters following a protest in the working-class Ettadhamen neighbourhood on the edge of the capital Tunis. Clashes broke out for a third consecutive evening in several Tunisian cities, pitting stone-throwing youths against security forces despite a tight lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. A decade on from the revolution, many Tunisians are increasingly angered by poor public services and a political class that has repeatedly proved unable to govern coherently. AFP

Security forces gather during clashes with demonstrators, at the scene of a protest against living conditions and unemployment in the Tunisian city of Siliana, the capital of the governorate of the same name, about 130 kms southwest of the capital Tunis . Tunisian security forces arrested dozens of young people after disturbances during two consecutive nights in the capital and other cities, the interior minister said. The troubles come amid a nationwide lockdown imposed since January 14, as part of efforts to curb the spread of infections by the coronavirus. AFP

Demonstrators clash with security forces during a protest against living conditions and unemployment in the Tunisian city of Siliana, the capital of the governorate of the same name, about 130 kms southwest of the capital Tunis. Tunisian security forces arrested dozens of young people after disturbances during two consecutive nights in the capital and other cities, the interior minister said. The troubles come amid a nationwide lockdown imposed since January 14, as part of efforts to curb the spread of infections by the coronavirus. AFP

Protesters stand amidst fumes as they block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP

Protesters block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP

Members of Tunisia's National Guard sit atop an armoured personnel carrier preparing for clashes with protesters in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP

Tunisian security forces members wearing civilian clothing ride a motorcycle while one carries anti-riot arms ahead of clashes with protesters in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP

A police vehicle drives along a road blocked by protesters during clashes in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP

Police officers face demonstrators during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb of Tunis, Tunisia. A wave of nocturnal demonstrations has rocked the country since 16 January. EPA

A group of around 100 protesters marched through downtown Tunis on Monday afternoon, shouting slogans calling for governmental reform and for both Prime Minister Hichem Michichi and Speaker of Parliament Rached Ghannouchi to step down.

Over 630 people have been arrested in the latest wave of protests, most of then minors, Interior Ministry spokesman Khaled Hayouni said on Monday.

Secretary General Noureddine Taboubi of the General Tunisian Worker's Union (UGTT) put out a statement Monday acknowledging the legitimacy of the protester's anger but "inviting protesting youth to stop protesting by night."

Late on Sunday evening in the working-class neighbourhood of Ettadhamen, on the outskirts of Tunisia's capital, dozens of young protesters hurled rocks and fireworks at riot police.

Officers responded with a volley of teargas. The army was dispatched to support local police forces and secure vital sites in several cities across the country, including Bizert, Nabeul, and Sousse, according to an official statement.

Social media videos showed young people with faces covered, burning tyres and hurling rocks, then coughing and sputtering as police responded with teargas.

Ten years ago Ettadhamen was one of the early sites of protests that would eventually overwhelm the capital and force the ouster of president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Those protests were driven largely by economic concerns, with slogans like “Work, freedom, national dignity! Employment is a right!”

In the decade since Ben Ali’s toppling, the economic situation for young people in Tunisia has only deteriorated. More than one in three are unemployed, according to the World Bank, and GDP has shrunk by 9 per cent while consumer prices continue to increase.

Tourism, one of Tunisia’s major drivers of revenue, has ground to a halt amid the pandemic. That has left many in towns like Sousse, a regular destination for European holiday-makers, without jobs and with few options. Videos emerged overnight of young people breaking into stores and carting off goods in the city.

Mr Hayouni said on Sunday that dozens of children aged 14-17 were among those rounded up during the protests and for curfew violations.

A four-day government lockdown and 4pm curfew at the weekend aimed at stemming the rise in coronavirus infections exacerbated tensions in neighbourhoods like Ettadhamen, where many subsist on day labour. While infection rates are high in these tightly-packed neighbourhoods, most residents resist another shutdown over fears of lost wages.

That sentiment is felt in poor neighbourhoods across the country. Monday morning, photographs emerged of graffiti sprayed on walls in the Kabaria neighbourhood of Tunis. Among other slogans: “The revolution of the hungry.”