Hundreds of Tunisian citizens gathered on Sunday evening, in Douar Hicher in the “Manouba” province, West of the capital Tunis, to denounce the social and economic situation the region is witnessing.
This protest was sparked by the authorities’ lack of interest and action to solve high unemployment rates and poor living conditions in this region. Qais Bouzouriya, an activist from Douar Hicher, stated that hundreds of Tunisians are now protesting in the Douar in front of the “Manouba” province headquarters, while shouting slogans like “Work, Freedom, Dignity, Patriotism” demanding employment and affordable cost of living.
“This protest responded to the call of ‘Hirak’ of the socially disadvantaged” said Qais, emphasizing that “this protest is the second one in less than a month and the authorities have not responded to any call for social dialogue with the ‘Hirak’”.
Qais explained in his statement that the situation has started to get out of control and the protests are escalating dramatically,” pointing out that “despite the presence of security, they did not interfere and there were no skirmishes”.