Tunisian President Kais Saied has removed Prime Minister Kamel Maddouri from office less than a year after his appointment, as the North African country faces a worsening economic crisis and escalating tensions over migration issues.
Maddouri has been replaced by Sara Zaafarani, who previously served as Tunisia’s Minister of Equipment and Housing since 2021. A qualified engineer, Zaafarani now becomes the nation’s third prime minister in under two years, highlighting the increasing political instability under Saied’s administration.
The decision was announced late Thursday, following weeks of sharp public criticism from President Saied targeting various government officials. During a televised address at a National Security Council meeting on Friday, Saied accused officials of failing to meet public expectations and claimed that government institutions had been infiltrated by “criminal gangs.”
“Criminal gangs are active in many public facilities. It is time to put an end to them and hold every official accountable, regardless of their position and the nature of their negligence or complicity,” Saied declared.
His remarks come as Tunisia struggles with sluggish economic growth, recording a GDP increase of just 1.4% over the past year. The government is also battling rising public debt, chronic shortages of essential goods such as sugar, rice, and coffee, and widespread discontent over declining public services, including healthcare, transportation, and utilities.
In February, Saied also dismissed Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri, signaling his growing frustration with the government’s inability to address the economic crisis effectively.
During a meeting with Zaafarani, broadcast on the presidency’s official Facebook page, Saied emphasized the need for better coordination within the government. He urged the new prime minister “to overcome obstacles to meet the expectations of the Tunisian people.”
Meanwhile, Tunisia is under increasing international scrutiny for its handling of a worsening migration crisis. Thousands of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa have arrived in Tunisia, using it as a transit point to attempt crossing the Mediterranean to Europe. Many are now stranded in makeshift camps in southern towns like Amra and Jbeniana after being blocked by authorities.
Clashes between migrants and local residents have become more frequent, with growing demands for deportations. At the same time, local human rights groups have criticized the government’s rhetoric, accusing officials of inciting racism and using migrants as scapegoats.
President Saied, who consolidated significant power in 2021 by dissolving the elected parliament and ruling by decree, reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption and “liberating” Tunisia during his address on Friday.
“We will continue the liberation battle until justice prevails for all citizens… We will continue to thwart all conspiracies,” he stated.
Opposition groups and critics have labeled Saied’s power grab as a coup, warning that democratic institutions in Tunisia—the birthplace of the Arab Spring—are being systematically dismantled.
