Tunisia commemorated Wednesday, April 6 the 22nd anniversary of the death of Habib Bourguiba, the father of Tunisian independence. While the economic, social and political context is highly explosive in Tunisia, President Kaïs Saïed is trying to claim credit for this founding figure.
With our correspondent in Tunis,Amira Souilem
With a resolute step, a serious face, President Kaïs Saïed advances towards the mausoleum where the remains of the father of Tunisian independence lie. ” We will continue to build this country. I say it from this historic mausoleum, there will be no turning back. We will continue to work, with God’s help, so that the path to total freedom for our people can be accomplished. »
Kaïs Saïed then lingers to discuss with a few citizens who are visibly hand-picked. He who now holds full powers – and who is unanimously opposed by the international community – took the opportunity to tackle his detractors. Always under cover of homage to the father of independence.
” You all know what President Bourguiba – peace be upon him – thought of foreign interference. Our sovereignty, our dignity and our pride come first. Our country is sovereign. The people are sovereign. »
Celebrations that barely hide the Tunisian malaise. Faced with shortages of basic products and a worrying rate of illiteracy, the country now seems far from the ideals of Bourguiba.