Tunisian anti-government protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Tunis on Saturday. EPA
Tunisian anti-government protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Tunis on Saturday. EPA
Tunisian anti-government protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Tunis on Saturday. EPA
Tunisian anti-government protesters shout slogans during a demonstration in Tunis on Saturday. EPA

Tunisia protests dispersed as coronavirus bans are extended

Police use tear gas on demonstrators calling for change as the country struggles with economic crisis

Simon Rushton
Simon Rushton

January 24, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Hundreds of protesters joined anti-government demonstrations in the Tunisian capital as a curfew and a ban on public gatherings were extended.

Demonstrators marched on Avenue Habib Bourguiba in Tunis and demanded economic change and the release of those arrested during clashes with police over the past week.

Tunisia has been hit by the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, with its tourism industry grinding to a halt.

More than one in three people are unemployed, according to the World Bank, and Tunisia's gross domestic product shrunk by 9 per cent while consumer prices continue to increase.

Protesters denounced what they said were broken economic promises from the government.

Protesters and police square off on Avenue Habib Bourguiba on Tuesday. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Protesters and police square off on Avenue Habib Bourguiba on Tuesday. Erin Clare Brown / The National
A young protester washes her eyes with Coca-Cola after being pepper sprayed by police in downtown Tunis Tuesday. Erin Clare Brown / The National
A young protester washes her eyes with Coca-Cola after being pepper sprayed by police in downtown Tunis Tuesday. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Police shoving protesters after deploying tear gas. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Police shoving protesters after deploying tear gas. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Protesters and police square off on Avenue Habib Bourguiba on Tuesday. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Protesters and police square off on Avenue Habib Bourguiba on Tuesday. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Antigovernment protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Antigovernment protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Anti-government protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Anti-government protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Anti-government protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Anti-government protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Anti-government protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Anti-government protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National
Protesters stand amidst fumes as they block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP
Protesters stand amidst fumes as they block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP
A scene of overnight clashes between members of the Tunisian security forces and rioters following a protest in the working-class Ettadhamen neighbourhood on the edge of the capital Tunis. Clashes broke out for a third consecutive evening in several Tunisian cities, pitting stone-throwing youths against security forces despite a tight lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. A decade on from the revolution, many Tunisians are increasingly angered by poor public services and a political class that has repeatedly proved unable to govern coherently. AFP
A scene of overnight clashes between members of the Tunisian security forces and rioters following a protest in the working-class Ettadhamen neighbourhood on the edge of the capital Tunis. Clashes broke out for a third consecutive evening in several Tunisian cities, pitting stone-throwing youths against security forces despite a tight lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. A decade on from the revolution, many Tunisians are increasingly angered by poor public services and a political class that has repeatedly proved unable to govern coherently. AFP
Security forces gather during clashes with demonstrators, at the scene of a protest against living conditions and unemployment in the Tunisian city of Siliana, the capital of the governorate of the same name, about 130 kms southwest of the capital Tunis . Tunisian security forces arrested dozens of young people after disturbances during two consecutive nights in the capital and other cities, the interior minister said. The troubles come amid a nationwide lockdown imposed since January 14, as part of efforts to curb the spread of infections by the coronavirus. AFP
Security forces gather during clashes with demonstrators, at the scene of a protest against living conditions and unemployment in the Tunisian city of Siliana, the capital of the governorate of the same name, about 130 kms southwest of the capital Tunis . Tunisian security forces arrested dozens of young people after disturbances during two consecutive nights in the capital and other cities, the interior minister said. The troubles come amid a nationwide lockdown imposed since January 14, as part of efforts to curb the spread of infections by the coronavirus. AFP
Demonstrators clash with security forces during a protest against living conditions and unemployment in the Tunisian city of Siliana, the capital of the governorate of the same name, about 130 kms southwest of the capital Tunis. Tunisian security forces arrested dozens of young people after disturbances during two consecutive nights in the capital and other cities, the interior minister said. The troubles come amid a nationwide lockdown imposed since January 14, as part of efforts to curb the spread of infections by the coronavirus. AFP
Demonstrators clash with security forces during a protest against living conditions and unemployment in the Tunisian city of Siliana, the capital of the governorate of the same name, about 130 kms southwest of the capital Tunis. Tunisian security forces arrested dozens of young people after disturbances during two consecutive nights in the capital and other cities, the interior minister said. The troubles come amid a nationwide lockdown imposed since January 14, as part of efforts to curb the spread of infections by the coronavirus. AFP
Protesters stand amidst fumes as they block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP
Protesters stand amidst fumes as they block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP
Protesters block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP
Protesters block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP
Members of Tunisia's National Guard sit atop an armoured personnel carrier preparing for clashes with protesters in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP
Members of Tunisia's National Guard sit atop an armoured personnel carrier preparing for clashes with protesters in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP
Tunisian security forces members wearing civilian clothing ride a motorcycle while one carries anti-riot arms ahead of clashes with protesters in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP
Tunisian security forces members wearing civilian clothing ride a motorcycle while one carries anti-riot arms ahead of clashes with protesters in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP
A police vehicle drives along a road blocked by protesters during clashes in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP
A police vehicle drives along a road blocked by protesters during clashes in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP
Police officers face demonstrators during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb of Tunis, Tunisia. A wave of nocturnal demonstrations has rocked the country since 16 January. EPA
Police officers face demonstrators during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb of Tunis, Tunisia. A wave of nocturnal demonstrations has rocked the country since 16 January. EPA

On Saturday, security forces struggled to contain demonstrators.

“No more fear, the street belongs to the people,” shouted protesters.

The crowd also chanted the slogan of Tunisia’s uprising between 2010 and 2011: “Employment, freedom, dignity.”

Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd after two hours – the time authorised for the protest.

According to new virus rules announced on Saturday, gatherings will be prohibited in public areas until February 14 and the country's existing 8pm-5am curfew will also be extended until then, Tunisian Health Ministry spokeswoman Nissaf Ben Alaya said.
A group of about 100 protesters marched through the centre of Tunis last Monday, calling for government reform and for both Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and Speaker of Parliament Rached Ghannouchi to step down.
About 1,000 people have been arrested during the recent protests, according to estimates by human rights groups.
The International Monetary Fund expects Tunisia's GDP growth to rebound to 3.8 per cent this year as the effects of the economic crisis caused by the pandemic begin to wane.

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
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The biog

Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha

Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude

Holiday destination: Sri Lanka

First car: VW Golf

Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters

Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars

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