By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani on Wednesday, just a year into his tenure. Hachani had earlier remarked in a video that the government had achieved “progress on several fronts” despite challenges related to rising food and energy prices.
President Saied quickly appointed Kamel Maddouri, the Minister of Social Affairs, as the new Prime Minister. This change occurs amid increasing public anger over ongoing water and electricity outages, which the government blames on a severe drought.
However, Saied has controversially suggested that the water shortages are part of a “conspiracy” ahead of the presidential election, asserting that the dams are actually full. Saied, who is planning to seek a second term in the October election, is facing mounting criticism from opposition parties and human rights groups, who accuse him of suppressing and intimidating his political opponents.
Source: Dominic Wabwireh with AP, Copyright © africanews, Slim Abid/AP.
