Tunisian President Kais Saied has replaced Prime Minister Kamel Maddouri with Sara Zaafarani, an engineer and former Minister of Equipment and Housing, after less than a year in Maddouri’s tenure during times of economic and political unrest in Tunisia. The country is also dealing with increased migration and refugee issues from sub-Saharan Africa.

Saied made the announcement late Thursday and has also been facing criticism for political repression, with the imprisonment of opposition figures, businessmen, and journalists. While Tunisia faces a severe economic crisis with growth not exceeding 1.4 percent in the past year, Saied has been critical of his ministers’ performances and has fired Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri recently.

The president called on Zaafarani to improve government coordination and address public concerns over deteriorating services, including healthcare, transportation, and utilities. There have been issues with criminal activity in public facilities and shortages of essential goods like sugar, rice, and coffee.

Zaafarani’s appointment marks the third prime minister in less than two years and the second female prime minister in Tunisia’s history. Saied has stated his commitment to justice, fighting corruption, and halting conspiracies. Tunisia is also receiving international criticism for its treatment of migrants and refugees from sub-Saharan Africa, amid reports of forced deportations to the desert.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/21/tunisias-saeid-sacks-premier-as-economic-and-political-crisis-deepens?traffic_source=rss