Saied criticizes the opposition’s duplicity in their discourse on Ghannouchi
Tunisian President Kais Saied has sharply criticized the opposition for relying on the policy of hunger strikes to weaken the authorities and gain political advantages, casting doubt on the seriousness of these actions and expressing surprise at the alliance of individuals and forces that have engaged in major conflicts over the past decade and exchanged accusations of involvement in bloodshed and political assassinations.
In a hint at the detained leader of the Ennahdha Movement. Rached Ghannouchi, whom Saied visited on Wednesday in Habib Bourguiba Avenue in the capital. he criticized the hunger strike initiated in solidarity with the detained constitutional law professor Jawhar Ben Mbarek, the first personality to embark on the hunger strike.
Saied added, in reference to the head of the Ennahdha Movement, “They used to call him a butcher. and today they are allying with him in a hunger strike.” expressing doubt about the seriousness of the hunger strike announced by opposition leaders abroad.
Saied said, “They talk about a hunger strike in France. and we know very well that this is not true; it is just propaganda.”
Ghannouchi’s decision to join the hunger strike opened the door for a number of prominent opposition figures abroad to follow suit, including former President Moncef Marzouki, former Foreign Minister and Ennahdha leader Rafik Abdessalem, who followed in his footsteps.
Detainees accused of plotting, such as Ghazi Chaouachi, Issam Chebbi. and Khayam Turki, also went on a hunger strike in support of Jawhar Ben Mbarek.
Supporters of President Saied criticize the duplicity of the various opposition groups that announced an implicit alliance after engaging in feuds over the past decade, which had negative repercussions on the country’s political and economic situation.
During the rule of the Troika, Jawhar Ben Mbarek had participated in numerous protests demanding the disclosure of those involved in the assassinations of the opposition figures Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi.
Those protests chanted the famous slogan. “Oh Ghannouchi, you butcher, you murderer of souls.” a slogan that directly attributed responsibility for the assassinations to the leader of the Ennahdha Movement.
The hunger strike and the demand by the Defense Committee for the Detainees to hear the testimony of a number of current and foreign ambassadors and diplomats on charges of espionage are ways for the opposition forces to pressure Saeed and the judiciary.
Abdul Majid Belaid, the brother of Chokri Belaid, praised the efforts of the judiciary in regaining its independence .and freedom from the political dominance of several parties. including Ennahdha, noting that the disclosure of the truth about the assassinations is now close at hand.
Tunisian President Saied emphasizes that he seeks to reveal the facts of the past decade. and move forward with the reform of the economic and political situations. holding those responsible for the deterioration of the situation during the previous decade accountable.
Saied also denounces the obstacles posed by some forces and lobbies to thwart the reform efforts he is undertaking. using the pretext of human rights and democracy.
