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The real reason Tunisia renewed its state of emergency

The state of emergency in Tunisia was renewed nationwide despite the fact that the security situation has improved, which has raised questions on the reasons behind it.
Unemployed graduates clash with riot police during a demonstration to demand the government provide them with job opportunities in Tunis, Tunisia April 9, 2016. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi - RTX298WV
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On Oct. 18, Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi renewed the state of emergency for three more months. The state of emergency has been imposed since Nov. 25, 2015, in the wake of a suicide attack on a bus carrying members of the presidential guard. The Tunisian presidency said in a statement, “Following consultations with the prime minister and parliament speaker, the president decided to extend the state of emergency nationwide.”

The decision was issued despite the fact that the security situation has improved in the country. This raises questions about the motives behind it, particularly since the state of emergency, according to Tunisian law, allows the authorities to impose a curfew and ban labor strikes and public gatherings without judicial permission.

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