Tunisian President Kais Saied announced a sweeping government reshuffle on Sunday, replacing 19 ministers and three state secretaries, including those in foreign affairs and defense. The abrupt changes come just days after Saied dismissed the former prime minister in preparation for the upcoming presidential elections on October 6.
The presidency released a statement on Facebook, noting the decision but offering no further details. Saied, who was democratically elected in 2019, has since consolidated power through significant changes in 2021 and is now campaigning for a new term. He frames his candidacy as part of a “war of liberation and self-determination” aimed at creating a new republic, while many of his political adversaries face imprisonment or prosecution.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently reported that Tunisian authorities have prosecuted, convicted, or imprisoned at least eight prospective candidates for the October election.
