Tunisia Between Security and Democracy: A Decisive Test for the Future
Tunisia is currently going through a critical phase in its political history, where the state faces complex challenges, represented by the series of arrests of opposition figures and the crisis of illegal immigration. These challenges could significantly impact the democratic path that began to take shape after the 2011 Revolution. They are seen as a decisive test of Tunisia’s ability to balance the need to preserve security on the one hand, and to guarantee democratic imperatives on the other.
Since President Kais Saied came to power, the country has witnessed dramatic developments, the most notable of which is the wave of arrests targeting several political opposition figures, intellectuals, and citizens expressing their disapproval of government policies. This campaign has sparked a wide debate both domestically and internationally, with some viewing it as a necessary step to preserve national stability, while others see it as an infringement on freedoms and a threat to the democracy gained after the revolution. At the same time, the crisis of illegal immigration, fueled by the country’s difficult economic and social situation, has intensified, with migrants mainly from Sub-Saharan Africa becoming an additional burden on the country’s political and economic system.
In the absence of a national consensus and inclusive dialogue between various political factions and civil society, concerns are growing about the widening gap between the authorities and the population. Analysts believe that the failure to establish a consensus could lead to the reproduction of an authoritarian model in Tunisia, at a time when the country was expected to have moved beyond this phase after the 2011 Revolution. The lack of national dialogue could exacerbate social and political tensions and increase concerns about the future of democracy in the cradle of the “Arab Spring.”
Tunisia now faces the urgent task of finding a balance between the demands of national security and the protection of rights and freedoms. It cannot be denied that Tunisia needs effective measures to combat corruption and extremism, but at the same time, the democratic path and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights must remain a top priority. The most important question remains: Will the Tunisian state be able to restore the balance between security demands and the protection of freedoms, or will the absence of dialogue and consensus lead to a derailment of the revolution’s gains? This will undoubtedly determine the future of Tunisian democracy in the coming years.
