Tunisian President Kais Saied has decided, without providing official reasons, to dismiss Prime Minister Kamel Madouri overnight from Thursday to Friday, according to a statement from the presidency. Madouri had been appointed last August during a major cabinet reshuffle.
He was immediately replaced by Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, the Minister of Equipment, while the rest of the government remains unchanged.
On February 6, President Saied had also dismissed, again during the night, his Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia, who was replaced by magistrate Michket Slama Khaldi. Saied had expressed dissatisfaction in recent weeks with his government’s performance.
Tunisia is facing severe economic and financial difficulties, with sluggish growth of 0.4% in 2024, an unemployment rate of 16%, and debt equivalent to around 80% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The president holds full powers allowing him to dismiss ministers and magistrates.
In August 2024, he carried out a major cabinet reshuffle during which he appointed Madouri, a former senior official specializing in social affairs. He also replaced 19 ministers, justifying his decision by citing the “supreme interest of the state” and “national security” imperatives.
This change of Prime Minister comes amid a tense political climate, with dozens of opposition figures imprisoned—some for two years—as well as businessmen and media personalities.
AFP
