Monday, September 23, 2024

Tunisians continue with protests against president Kais Saied, before October 6th election

By Rédaction Africanews Last updated: 14 hours ago

For a second week, crowds of Tunisians took to Tunis' main avenue to denounce president Kais Saied, not long before the presidential election on October 6th. They're accusing him of reinforcing authoritarian rule and suppressing political competition.

The demonstration, which took place amid a heavy police protest, comes after lawmakers put forward a bill that would take away the administrative court's power to adjudicate electoral disputes. The opposition insists that this would discredit the upcoming election, and lay the groundwork for Saied to clinch another term in office.

Earlier this month, the country's electoral commission rejected a court ruling reinstating three presidential candidates, in what critics say is another example of Saied stamping out competition.

The president has denied accusations that he is using the electoral commission and judiciary to ensure a victory in October. Rather, he says he is waging a battle against traitors and the corrupt.

Political tensions in Tunisia have been on the rise since 2021, when Saied started to rule by decree. The opposition has called this move a 'coup'.

Ghana police arrest dozens of protesters denouncing the government's handling of the economy



By Rédaction Africanews 

Ghana's police have arrested dozens of people who took to the streets of the capital to demonstrate over perceived economic mismanagement by the government. Crowds had also been voicing their concern over the government's handling of illegal mining, a practice that harms the environment.

Police accused some in the crowds of attacking officers, and vowed a firm response to alleged perpetrators. A spokesperson for the police claimed that demonstrators had gathered unlawfully, before clashes erupted.

However Democracy Hub, the group responsible for organising the protest that was meant to last for three days, accused police of staging an attack on peaceful protesters. Oliver Barker Vormawor, a convenor for Democracy Hub, said, 'We've communicated with our lawyers to deal with what the police have decided to do today. We are calling on everybody. They're planning to do random arrests.'


The demonstrations come ahead of Ghana's presidential election in December, with the country's financial situation at the forefront of many voter's minds. The country is gradually recovering from a serious financial crisis in 2022, which saw inflation soar to 54 percent.

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