Tunisia-Meknassy: Tensions continue after liberation of detained demonstrators

Tensions continued, on Saturday, in Meknassy after the discharge of demonstrators detained the day before. They were caught during an intervention by security forces to empty the sit-in of workers at the Meknassy phosphate mine that has been barring the train station since May 4, 2020. They will have to appear before the public prosecutor’s office at liberty, the TAP reported.

The demonstrators are asking for the halt of proceedings against the mineworkers, the resumption of work, the regularisation of the situation of employees and the removal of security forces.

The security forces employed tear gas to disperse demonstrators who tossed stones at them and burnt tyres.

Security forces intervened on Friday evening to evacuate the Meknassy mineworkers’ sit-in. During this intervention, the authorities retrieved the machines (trains, trucks) confiscated by the demonstrators and arrested some of them, before releasing them.

In a statement to the TAP, governor of Sidi Bouzid, Mohamed Sedki Bouaoun said the police intervention is aimed at restoring traffic at the station after protesters blocked line No. 13.

Workers at the Meknassy phosphate mine have been observing an unlimited sit-in Since May 4, demanding the commissioning of the mine and granting tenure to 164 workers in the Gafsa Phosphate Company (CPG).