Tunisian Crisis, US Urges Tunisian President To Return To Democracy

Photo Archive - Tunisian President Kais Saied taking his oath as president in Tunis, Tunisia October 23, 2019. (Doc Antara)

JAKARTA - US national security adviser Jake Sullivan urged Tunisia's president on Saturday, July 31 to quickly get his country back on the "path of democracy" after taking over the government last Sunday, the White House said.

Tunisian President Kais Saied imposed a national state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic and poor governance by sacking the prime minister, freezing parliament, and seizing control of the executive in a move that was welcomed by street protesters but branded a coup by his political opponents.

In a phone call, Sullivan stressed to Saied the need to "form a new government quickly, led by a capable prime minister to stabilize the Tunisian economy and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensure the timely return of an elected parliament," the White House National Security Council said in a statement, quoted by Antara.

Saied earlier said he would take executive power with the help of the new prime minister. The 2014 democratic constitution that separates the powers of the president, prime minister, and parliament now faces the toughest challenge in Tunisia.