Kais Saied, when he announced the results in the first round of Tunisia's presidential election on September 17, 2019. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
Kais Saied, when he announced the results in the first round of Tunisia's presidential election on September 17, 2019. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
Kais Saied, when he announced the results in the first round of Tunisia's presidential election on September 17, 2019. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters
Kais Saied, when he announced the results in the first round of Tunisia's presidential election on September 17, 2019. Muhammad Hamed / Reuters

'No going back' - Tunisia's President plans to suspend the constitution


Erin Clare Brown
  • English
  • Arabic

Tunisian President Kais Saied intends to suspend the constitution and may offer changes to the political system through a referendum, a key adviser told Sky News Arabia Thursday.

In late July, Mr Saied sacked the government, froze Parliament and assumed sole control of the country. His aide's comments are the first indication of the president's intentions for Tunisia's future.

"There will be no going back to the previous system," adviser Walid Hajjem said.

“There is going to be a change to the political system in Tunisia, moving towards something more just, with more defined responsibilities and with a greater opportunity to exercise necessary power.”

Since the days just after the 2011 uprising, Mr Saied has campaigned for a radically decentralised government with a strong presidency and local councils that would manage Tunisia's affairs.

A populist without a party, he has long railed against the partisan nature of the Parliament, and many analysts believe the coming changes may propose eliminating the legislature altogether.

There has been growing pressure on Mr Saied from domestic and foreign allies to release a roadmap out of the crisis. Civil society groups, ambassadors from the Group of Seven wealthy nations, and two US senators have urged him to reveal his plans and return the country to a democratic path.

This week the influential General Tunisian Workers' Union, or UGTT, indicated it supported reforming the political process, but said transparency and a roadmap was essential.

UGTT secretary general Noureddine Taboubi said at a meeting on Wednesday that the union would support working to “build a civil, democratic, social state" that guarantees "justice, fairness, rule of law".

Mr Saied will soon share his plan with the country, Mr Hajjem, told Reuters on Thursday. He said "changing the system means changing the constitution through a referendum".

Habib Sayah, a Tunisian political risk analyst, says a referendum would provoke a great number of questions.

Unlike the 2014 constitution, which was drafted over three years by an elected constituent assembly, a new constitution would be largely the work of Mr Saied and a small group of advisers.

"Is he going to give us an opportunity to debate his vision, propose some amendments and give him some reality checks?" Mr Sayah asked.

Since taking sole power, Mr Saied has become increasingly isolated, refusing to talk with political parties or civil society organisations.

The last meeting between the president and Mr Taboubi was the day after the initiation of the exceptional period, on July 26.

Mr Saied had broad popular support for his move early on from a populace exasperated by months of political deadlock, economic downturn and an untenable Covid-19 situation. But as momentum slowed from the palace, many of his supporters have grown anxious to see their president fulfil his promises.

Mr Taboubi warned that their support and patience should not be taken for granted.

"The Tunisian people can trust those in charge and give them the necessary time, but they are able to tell the difference between the truth and allegations," he said.


Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.9-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E536hp%20(including%20138hp%20e-motor)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E750Nm%20(including%20400Nm%20e-motor)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C380%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Gothia Cup 2025

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THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Royal wedding inspired menu

Ginger, citrus and orange blossom iced tea

Avocado ranch dip with crudites

Cucumber, smoked salmon and cream cheese mini club sandwiches

Elderflower and lemon syllabub meringue

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIXTURES

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Juventus v Sampdoria (10.45pm)

Monday
AC Milan v Bologna (10.45om)

Playing September 30

Benevento v Inter Milan (8pm)
Udinese v Spezia (8pm)
Lazio v Atalanta (10.45pm)

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The Gandhi Murder
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  • 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
  • 7 - million dollars, the film's budget 
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

England World Cup squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Updated: September 10, 2021, 12:30 AM`