For months the town of Agareb, near Tunisia’s coast, had reeked of rubbish because of an overflowing landfill. In September the authorities closed the site, which residents were calling a danger to public health. But this month, after trash had piled up in the streets, it was reopened. Protesters cried foul and on November 10th clashed with security forces. Along with the stench of tear-gas and garbage, a new smell filled the air: burning tyres. One person was killed and a police station was ransacked. It was the worst violence in Tunisia since President Kais Saied suspended parliament and grabbed power in July. Critics called his actions a coup. But many in Agareb applauded him. The town of 40,000 has long been neglected. Its poor residents have grown disillusioned with the country’s decade-old democracy. They say they voted overwhelmingly for Mr Saied in 2019, hoping he would clean up corruption. If he had to act like an authoritarian to do it, so be it.SOURCE: THE ECONOMIST
More Stories
African and Global Firms Contribute towards Harris’ Empowerment Fund
The Main Winners in Nigeria’s Botched Currency Overhaul are Two Chinese-owned Fintech Apps
The Growing Opportunities that African Pharmaceuticals Present
Africa’s Extraction and Export of Raw Materials is Rising
Accra’s Plan on a Debt-free Life
Mauto is Preparing Benin—and Africa—for an e-bike Ride
Rwanda’s Long History of Mining
Disease Stops Trade in East Africa’s Border Towns
A Marketplace for Medical Equipment in Addis
South African Rate Hike Exceeds All Expectations
At the Coalface of the Green Revolution, but Earning Crumbs
Harris Stresses that U.S. Interests in African Nations Extends beyond Competing with China