The Arab Council expresses its condemnation of the decision made by the Tunisian President, Kais Saied, who has overthrown the constitution by dissolving the Parliament in a new escalation that reflects his confusion, instability, and lack of credibility in his repeated claims of respect for the constitution and the rule of law.

The Council considers that Kais Saied’s decision is confirmation that what he has been doing since July 25, 2021, is nothing but a full-blown coup against democracy and the constitution. The responsibility for this lies with the Tunisian state’s military and security apparatuses that have allowed this disastrous path, which has destabilized the country, shattered institutions, destroyed the achievements of the revolution, isolated Tunisia from the world, and plunged the country into an unprecedented economic, social, and psychological crisis.

The Arab Council calls on the active forces in Tunisia to unite, despite their differences and contradictions, around a rescue project that ends the coup, restores constitutional legitimacy, and addresses the severe economic crisis. This should focus on the broad national consensus that allowed Tunisia to lead democratic transition paths in the region and the world during the past decade.

The Council also calls on these forces to support the work of the legitimate state institutions, especially the Parliament, despite all its flaws and internal divisions, as it remains the last link to constitutional legitimacy. It is essential for all to come together around the principle of returning, as soon as possible, to holding free and fair elections that meet the necessary conditions for protection from the influence of corrupt political money and foreign interference, which seeks to derail Tunisia’s return to the path of reason, democracy, and true popular will.

Signed,
The Arab Council
Dr. Ayman Nour
Ms. Tawakkol Karman
Vice Presidents