The first month of 2020 was characterised by quintessential political events. The Tunisian parliament has declined to grant the vote of confidence to former prime minister-designate Habib Jemli, the latter was proposed by the Islamist Ennahdha party.
Therefore and in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the President of the Republic, Kais Saied, decided, on January 21, to task Elyes Fakhfekh to form the new government. The latter obtained the confidence of Parliament nevertheless, he served the shortest term in Tunisian history.
The event continued to unfold as terrorist operations resurfaced with an offensive near the US embassy that ended in the loss of one police officer and the injuries of others.
The same month was likewise characterised by the recording of the first case of COVID-19 in Tunisia. This pandemic which has circulated throughout the world and claimed the lives of thousands of people and which has forced nations, including Tunisia, to announce severe health measures.
Tunisians were placed under a three-month lockdown f. Movement between governorates was halted, businesses have chosen to telecommute, and cafes, restaurants and mosques were all closed. In addition, healthcare workers played a very important role during this critical situation by fighting against an invisible enemy.
On the other hand, the lockdown did not prevent Rached Ghannouchi from getting involved in the conclusion of suspicious agreements with Qatar and Turkey on April 14, 2020. A parliamentary session was also devoted to questions from parliamentarians on the subject.
In May, the summer festivals were postponed, notwithstanding the progressive lifting of the lockdown while the Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the scientific committee for the fight against the Coronavirus, declared the gradual resumption of the activity of some sectors after examining the evolution of the epidemiological situation.
On the political year, matters escalated after An inquiry into three cases of suspected conflict of interest targeting Elyès Fakhfèkh was opened in July, pushing him to step down later.
Kais Saied hence found himself again forced to choose a new prime minister. The head of state’s choice fell on Hichem Mechichi, then Minister of the Interior.
The month of October was marked by social movements, causing the dismissal of the governor of Kasserine and the delegate of Sbeitla, following an accident, in which a citizen passed away under the rubble of the demolition of his “anarchic kiosk” by municipal officials.
November was particularly marked by the events of Al Kamour and the sit-ins that took place in the region, during which negotiations took place with the government and ended with the signing of an agreement between the Coordination El Kamour and the head of government.
However, this deal ignited widespread protests in different parts of the nation such as Beja and Kairouan to demand jobs and the development of their regions.
Clashes broke out in December in the Ain Skhouna area between two “tribes”, claiming the life of one citizen and the injury of 50 others. A situation which required the intervention of the security forces to prevent the conflict from causing further damage. For his part, President Kais Saied visited the region to calm the situation and emphasize the importance of national unity.
The year was also marked by the famous case of waste imported from Italy, following which the former Minister of the Environment, Mustapha Laroui, was arrested.
Last week Qalb Tounes party leader and founder of Nessma TV channel Nabil Karoui was arrested on charges of money laundering and tax evasion.
Regarding the health situation in the world, the WHO said at its press conference today that the world is far from being prepared to fight future pandemics, despite the scientific feats achieved in the fight against Covid-19, including the discovery of effective vaccines in record time.
In the same context, Tunisia is still suffering from the repercussions of this crisis, which has claimed the lives of hundreds of Tunisians and left hundreds more unemployed.
