Tunisia extends the state of emergency until the end of 2026

Tunisia’s Official Gazette reported on Friday that President Kais Saied has extended the long-standing state of emergency for an additional eleven months, until December 31.

Tunisia has been under a state of emergency since 2015, following an attack that resulted in the deaths of several members of the presidential guard.

The state of emergency grants the Ministry of the Interior exceptional powers, including banning public gatherings, imposing curfews, searching commercial premises, and monitoring the press, publications, radio broadcasts, as well as cinematic and theatrical performances. These measures may be enforced without prior judicial authorization.

Tunisia first declared a state of emergency in November 2015 after a suicide bomber targeted a bus carrying members of the presidential guard in the heart of the capital, killing 12 security personnel and injuring 17 others.

The state of emergency has since been renewed multiple times for varying periods.

Since 2011, and in the years that followed—coinciding with the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood to power—Tunisia has experienced attacks carried out by terrorist groups, resulting in the deaths of dozens of police officers, foreign tourists, and others.

In recent years, the authorities have succeeded in arresting or killing several senior leaders of these organizations.