Thousands rally in Tunisian capital calling for end of president's rule

News Thousands rally in Tunisian capital calling for end of president's rule Protesters during a demonstration against President Kais Saied, Tunis, Tunisia, 25 July 2026.   -   Copyright © africanews Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. By Rédaction Africanews with agencies Last updated: 26/07 - 11:15 Tunisia Thousands of Tunisians took to the streets of the capital, Tunis, on Saturday to demand the resignation of President Kais Saied. Demonstrators held signs reading "Get out," "Game over," and "Only Kaïs remains happy," while chanting slogans against the president. The protest came as the country marked five years since Saied suspended parliament and later dissolved it in order to rule by decree. They were denouncing worsening living conditions, democratic backsliding, and mismanagement of the state. Academic and sociology researcher , Mouldi Gassoumi, said the march was a call for citizens “to rediscover the values and principles of the Republic”. “Unfortunately, these values began to be abandoned on 25 July 2021, since what I have repeatedly described as a 'coup d’état against the constitutional order',” he said. The march was the latest in a string of demonstrations opposing crackdowns on dissent, the struggling economy, and limits on press freedom. Protesters held up portraits of imprisoned journalist Mourad Zghidi, with his sister urging people to resist, saying people today are “oppressed and imprisoned”. “And those who could bring added value to this country are behind bars. The country is facing great dangers, and we must take to the streets to defend its achievements," she said. Saturday’s demonstration comes amid growing social tensions. In recent days, Tunisia has been hit by an intense heatwave. It has sparked multiple wildfires and caused repeated power and water outages, deepening public frustration over the decline in basic services. You may also like Haiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 11 minutes ago 01:14 Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 23 minutes ago 01:10 Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 45 minutes ago From the same country 00:53 Most Tunisian regions on high alert amid second extreme heatwave 27/08 - 21:05 01:52 Tunisian coastal town mourn death of residents who drowned at sea 26/08 - 19:08 01:04 Protests erupt in Tunisia after migrant boat sinks 24/08 - 16:45 View more Share More About Kaïs Saïed Press freedom autocracy Protests in Tunisia Tunisia You may also like Haiti mourns victims of Kenscoff gang attack as fear grips community 11 minutes ago 01:14 Spain PM Pedro Sanchez rules out Moroccan role in Ceuta migrant surge 23 minutes ago 01:10 Algeria moves to restore death penalty for deliberate forest fires 45 minutes ago From the same country 00:53 Most Tunisian regions on high alert amid second extreme heatwave 27/08 - 21:05 01:52 Tunisian coastal town mourn death of residents who drowned at sea 26/08 - 19:08 01:04 Protests erupt in Tunisia after migrant boat sinks 24/08 - 16:45 On the same subject NEWS 00:46 Tanzanian newspaper suspended for six months over report on government divisions 19/08 - 20:48 NEWS 02:18 Tunisia: Sidi Bou Said residents welcome UNESCO inscription 13/08 - 09:04 NEWS 01:24 Tunisia records 900 fires in 72-hour window during intense heatwave 25/07 - 09:44 NEWS 01:07 Tunisia's jailed opposition leader Ghannouchi in 'critical condition,' lawyers say 24/07 - 11:18 NEWS 01:07 Tunisia reels in extreme heat as temperatures near 50°C 19/07 - 11:48 NEWS Go to video Two Nigerien journalists freed after months in detention 16/07 - 12:11 More stories 01:25 General Abdourahamane Tchiani Calm returns to Niger's capital one day after failed army mutiny 7 hours ago 01:02 Coup Vote counting underway in Guinea-Bissau referendum that could expand presidential powers 6 hours ago 00:56 United Kingdom Notting Hill Carnival kicks off in a burst of colour and Caribbean tradition 2 hours ago