Summary:

On 31 December 2024, President Kais Saied extended Tunisia’s state of emergency from 1 to 30 January throughout the country. 

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The state of emergency has been in place in Tunisia more or less continuously since 24 November 2015 after a terrorist attack on a presidential guard bus in Tunis. 

The terms of the state of emergency grant expanded powers to the government, in particular, the security forces. This includes preventing the movement of persons and vehicles and preventing strikes or sit-ins. 

Meanwhile, on 2 January, the President met with the Minister of Defense, Khaled Shili to praise the armed forces’ efforts in defense of the country. Saied also emphasized his dedication to developing Tunisia’s military capacity. 

Days prior, the President held a meeting with his Cabinet where he called for “preserving a national unity to prevent any attempt to harm the country in the context of unprecedented and rapid developments in the world.”  

Outlook: 

Recent decisions and statements from President Saied point to his preoccupation with potential repercussions following the fall of the El-Assad’s regime in Syria as some have called for regime change in North African countries as well. 

Threats of destabilization, which have long been raised by the current administration, are likely to continue justifying the extension of the state of emergency. The expanded powers granted will allow the government to continue maintaining tight control on political activities, as well as civil society in the name of stability and public order.  

By emphasizing potential threats and risks of destabilization, the government will likely continue to justify the mobilization of more resources to the military and internal security forces. Maintaining the state of emergency is also a means by which the administration can keep citizens concerned about a wide range of threats and therefore willing to accept limitations on rights and freedoms.  

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