Summary:

Late this week, senior Ennahdha official Abdel Karim Harouni was placed under house arrest by Tunisian officials, continuing a string of legal actions against opposition figures dating back to late 2022.

Harouni’s lawyer and the National Salvation Front (NSF) both indicated that no reason for the house arrest had been given.

[mepr-show if=”loggedout”] Please login or purchase an InBrief membership to view the rest of this report [/mepr-show] [mepr-show if=”loggedin”]

Harouni serves as the head of the Ennahdha party’s Shura Council, the most senior body within the party.

Meanwhile, on Friday, 1 September, the African Court on Human and People’s Rights issued an order to the Tunisian government requiring the elimination of “all barriers” preventing access to legal and medical assistance for detainees.

A case had been filed with the Tanzania-based court by a British attorney representing some of the families of current and former senior opposition figures currently detained in Tunisia.

Outlook:  

While domestic concern for the opposition figures detained by Tunisian authorities since late 2022 has remained limited, international concern has continued.

The detention of Ennahdha’s long-time leader Rached Ghannouchi as well as former senior party official Said Ferjani have drawn particular focus over time.

Pressure on Ennahdha is likely continue as the country moves toward a series of elections throughout 2023 and 2024. Many Tunisians aligned with President Kais Saied view limiting Ennahdha’s political reach as key progress toward a brighter future for the country.

As elections approach, the current administration may seek to keep Ennahdha on the legal and political defensive through ongoing detentions and additional legal actions.

[/mepr-show]

Explore our services or speak with our team of North Africa-based risk experts.