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Moncef Marzouki told all Tunisians to rally on Sunday to defend the Constitution, democracy and national sovereignty.
Former Tunisian President Moncef Mazuki called on Tunisians to stage protests on Sunday to oppose the seizure of power by the country’s President Keith Said.
“I call on all Tunisians to rally on Sunday to defend the constitution, democracy, freedom and national sovereignty,” Mazuki said in a video posted on his Facebook page.
“In this protest, the sense of presence should be strong. I call on all of you to put aside your political affiliation and get involved,” he added. “I have never seen Tunisia in the state it is today. It’s time to take action.”
In July, the president put Tunisia into a constitutional crisis by suspending the elected parliament, dismissing the prime minister and taking over the executive power.
Last month, he ignored most of the constitution, saying he could pass legislation through decree, which made people doubt Tunisia’s democratic achievements since the revolution that triggered the Arab Spring uprising in 2011.
Although he insisted that his “special measures” were to “save” the country, critics accused him of planning a coup.
‘Sovereignty can be returned’
Mazuki’s call came as a protest movement called “Citizens Against the Coup” called for demonstrations on Sunday to oppose Said’s move to control all areas of the state.
Marzouki suggested that Said and Speaker Rached Ghannouchi resign and convene a meeting as a way to escape the current political crisis in Tunisia.
“After the 45-day transition period, free and transparent early elections can be held, and through this transition period, sovereignty can be returned to the people,” he said.
Most political parties in Tunisia opposed Said’s seizure of power, and some accused him of planning an unconstitutional coup.
However, given the political, economic and health crises facing North African countries, other political parties supported Said’s decision.
Earlier this month, thousands of supporters of Said assembly In the capital they expressed their support for the suspension of parliament and promised to change the political system.
The demonstrations in the center of Tunisia were in response to protests against Operation Said that took place at the same location two weekends ago.
Said’s intervention was carried out after years of economic stagnation and political paralysis, which was exacerbated by the impoverished blockade, the slow start of vaccination campaigns and street protests last year.
Many Tunisians blame those ills on a corrupt, self-interested political elite, and they see Saied, an independent elected in 2019, as a champion for the people.
Tunisia was previously regarded as the only successful case of Arab countries’ efforts to achieve democratic transformation, witnessing the overthrow of ruling regimes including Egypt, Libya and Yemen by popular revolutions.
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