Thousands of Tunisians gathered on Habib Bourguiba avenue in the capital Tunis on Sunday afternoon to protest against President Kais Saied, days after he suspended much of the constitution to further consolidate power.
Shouts of “degage” – “get out” in French – rose from the crowd. This was the cry used by protesters when former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was pushed from power in 2011.
Other revolutionary slogans were retrofitted for the moment. “Work, freedom and national dignity” a common demand at protests since 2010, was transformed to “constitution, freedom and national dignity”.
Mr Saied's move to suspend Parliament in July was welcomed by many Tunisians who were tired of corruption and a lack of economic stability. But in the two months since, he has yet to install a government, reveal a roadmap or make headway on corruption charges he promised to bring before the judiciary.
Sunday's protest, which was the first major action against Mr Saied since his consolidation of power, marked a major shift in public sentiment towards the president.
Protester Meriem, 23, said she had been enthusiastic about Mr Saied when he ran for office in 2019, but his recent moves had left her worried about the future of democracy.
“Since day one, the only thing he wanted was to change the regime in Tunisia – and I’m not against that – but he should do it through the conventional ways of changing laws and changing the regime,” she said. “His way threatens our democracy and threatens our transition in Tunisia.”
Police in riot gear blocked off the street early, but crowds streamed through back alleyways to join the 3,500-strong demonstrators. Savvy salesmen hawked Tunisian and Palestinian flags, and men passed through the crowd handing out dates to protesters wilting in the heat and humidity.
Moez Baklouti, 55, a sports management instructor from the working-class neighbourhood of Bab Souika, said he had come to voice his opposition to Mr Saied’s suspension of the constitution.
“It takes time to achieve the long-term goals of democracy and we cannot discount the work we've already done,” he said.
He believed people were largely satisfied with the constitution, but what they really wanted was economic solvency.
“Political independence means nothing if we don’t have economic independence,” Mr Baklouti said.
Tunisia's economy has long suffered from high levels of unemployment and poverty – a trend exacerbated by the pandemic. The government must repay a $2 billion loan to foreign backers in November or risk default, but since Mr Saied assumed sole power, talks with the International Monetary Fund for a loan package to help repay the debt have stalled.
Ayed Kamira, 53, said the country needed political reforms, but he did not trust Mr Saied to change the constitution for the better.
“He broke his oath to defend the constitution and to be the president for all people,” Mr Kamira said.
“The 2014 constitution was made by consensus, with the input of so many parts of the society.”
Since the week following his consolidation of power, Mr Saied has refused to meet political parties, civil society organisations or the country's powerful unions to discuss a way out of the political crisis. In past statements, he has called for the dissolution of both civil society organisations and political parties.
I cannot tolerate one person taking ultimate control
Protestor Moufida Rakhmani
Sunday's protest was the first for Moufida Rakhmani, 48. She said as a law student in the years under Ben Ali, she “could have never imagined a political system with a separation of powers”, and came to the protest to defend that system.
“I cannot tolerate one person taking ultimate control – even the Prophet had the Shura [consultative] council,” she said.
A small group of Mr Saied's supporters attended the demonstration and police separated the two camps.
“We support Saied because he declared war against a corrupt political class,” a man who only gave his name as Ahmed told Reuters.
On Saturday, another group of around 50 pro-Saied demonstrators met on the steps of the national theatre to voice their support for the president's recent moves. They burnt copies of the 2014 constitution, which passed the constituent assembly with near-unanimous support.
At Sunday's protest, engineer Mohamed Amine Ben Yahia, 43, said the Tunisian people did not have a problem with the constitution.
“They’re worried whether they’ll get paid at the end of the month. A new constitution won’t solve that problem,” he said.
“We are attached to the democratic process and want it to continue.”
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%C2%A0profile
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
Scores
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
Prophets of Rage
(Fantasy Records)
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Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
More coverage from the Future Forum
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
The biog
Name: Capt Shadia Khasif
Position: Head of the Criminal Registration Department at Hatta police
Family: Five sons and three daughters
The first female investigator in Hatta.
Role Model: Father
She believes that there is a solution to every problem
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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