Tunisia’s Political Turmoil: Opposition Leader Ghannouchi on Hunger Strike in Detention
Tunisian opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi initiated a hunger strike on Monday, joining other anti-government figures in a protest fast. Ghannouchi, who heads the Ennahda main opposition party, is a vocal critic of President Kais Saied. He has been in prison since last year, facing charges of incitement against police and conspiracy against state security. The 82-year-old opposition figure received an additional three-year prison sentence earlier this month in a separate case related to charges of accepting external financing.
In a statement from Ghannouchi’s lawyers quoted in the press, it was mentioned that, while engaging in the “empty stomach” battle, Ghannouchi urges Tunisians to rally for a democratic Tunisia that embraces everyone, emphasizing the principles of freedom and the independence of the judiciary.
Last week, at least six opposition leaders who were arrested in a crackdown in 2023 commenced an open-ended hunger strike. Their protest aims to highlight their imprisonment without trial and to demand an immediate release from prison.
The hunger strikes by Ghannouchi and other opposition figures underscore the deepening political tensions in Tunisia. President Saied’s actions, including the arrest and imprisonment of opposition leaders, have faced criticism for allegedly infringing on democratic principles. The call for a democratic Tunisia and the release of imprisoned opposition figures reflects the country’s ongoing struggle for political freedoms and human rights.
