What's happened
Protests in Tunisia mark the 15th anniversary of the Arab Spring, with demonstrators demanding the closure of a toxic phosphate plant in Gabes amid environmental health concerns. Meanwhile, nationwide unrest continues, with a deadly police incident in Kairouan fueling calls for accountability and political change. Today's date is Thu, 18 Dec 2025.
What's behind the headline?
The protests in Gabes highlight the intersection of environmental degradation and political unrest in Tunisia. Demonstrators are explicitly demanding the closure of a phosphate plant accused of causing health issues and environmental damage, which underscores the failure of current policies to address industrial pollution. The nationwide strike called by the UGTT union signals deepening dissatisfaction with Saied's governance, which critics say is increasingly authoritarian. The police killing in Kairouan, and the subsequent investigation, exemplifies the volatile climate, where state violence risks further destabilizing the fragile political landscape. These events suggest that Tunisia's unrest will persist unless meaningful reforms address both environmental and political grievances. The government’s response, including promises of investigation, may temporarily quell tensions but are unlikely to resolve underlying issues, which could lead to further protests and instability.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports on the protests in Gabes, emphasizing environmental concerns and public health crises, with slogans like 'People want to live' and calls for the plant's closure. The articles from The New Arab and Reuters detail the deadly police incident in Kairouan, highlighting the ongoing unrest linked to the anniversary of the 2011 revolution and the government's crackdown. Both sources note President Kais Saied's controversial governance approach, including the dissolution of parliament and accusations of authoritarianism, which fuel the protests. While The New Arab emphasizes environmental activism, Reuters and the other report focus on the political violence and calls for accountability, illustrating the multifaceted nature of Tunisia's current crisis.
How we got here
Since the 2011 revolution, Tunisia has faced ongoing political and economic instability. President Kais Saied's consolidation of power, including shutting down parliament and ruling by decree, has intensified tensions. Environmental issues in Gabes, linked to industrial pollution, have sparked renewed protests, especially after health crises among children. The protests reflect broader dissatisfaction with governance and economic hardship.
Go deeper
More on these topics
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Kais Saied is a Tunisian politician, jurist and former lecturer serving as the fifth President of Tunisia since October 2019. He was president of the Tunisian Association of Constitutional Law from 1995 to 2019.
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Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa, covering 163,610 square kilometres. Its northernmost point, Cape Angela, is also the northernmost point on the African continent.
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Kairouan, also spelled Al Qayrawān or Kairwan, is the capital of the Kairouan Governorate in Tunisia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city was founded by the Umayyads around 670.