Stephen Quillen

Stephen Quillen is a Tunis-based journalist. On Twitter: @stephen_quillen

North Africa | Jan 27, 2023

Tunisia's migrants face new roadblock in popular smuggling route to Europe

Thousands of Tunisians have taken the "Balkan Route" to Europe, but new visa restrictions in Serbia — a central stop in their path — are making the clandestine journey more arduous.

North Africa | Jul 27, 2022

Tunisians vote to expand president’s powers

Tunisians voted to drastically expand the president’s powers and critics warn the referendum could usher in a dictatorship.

An elderly Tunisian man votes during a referendum on a draft constitution put forward by the country's president.

North Africa | May 26, 2022

Pilgrimage to Tunisian island of Djerba highlights ancient Jewish heritage

The Ghriba pilgrimage is a testament to the resilience of Tunisia’s minority Jewish community, which dates back more than 2,000 years.

A Tunisian Jewish woman is seen in the Ghriba synagogue in the Tunisian resort island of Djerba.

North Africa | Apr 5, 2022

Tunisia's future darkens with dissolution of parliament

Tunisia's president has taken a darker turn after unilaterally dissolving parliament and threatening to put elected deputies on trial.

A picture shows the Tunisian parliament in Tunis on March 31, 2022.

North Africa | Nov 19, 2021

Residents of Tunisian village protest massive toxic landfill

A mounting trash crisis in central Tunisia has put the small town of Aguereb, host to the region’s largest landfill, center stage.

Demonstrators burn tyres during a general strike following the death of a protester and the reopening of a rubbish dump, Aguereb, Tunisia, Nov. 10, 2021.

North Africa | Sep 29, 2021

Coup fears grow as Tunisian president shores up power

President Kais Saied is facing a growing wave of opposition from civil society and political actors as he takes new powers and attempts to transform the political system.

North Africa | Jul 31, 2021

Fending off 'coup' claims, Tunisian president announces anti-corruption drive

Tunisian President Kais Saied has overwhelming public support after ousting the government, but critics warn against a return to authoritarianism.

Tunisian military forces guard the area around the parliament building, following protests in reaction to a move by the president last night to suspend the parliament and dismiss the prime minister, Tunis, Tunisia, July 26, 2021.

North Africa | May 3, 2021

Tunisian TV show pranks guests with 'lethal' COVID-19 vaccines

The WHO wants a Tunisian hidden camera prank show that purports to show people dying or falling seriously ill after taking COVID-19 vaccinations taken off the air.

An elderly wheelchair-bound woman receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine at El-Menzah sports hall, Tunis, Tunisia, April 12, 2021.

Tunisia | Dec 17, 2020

10 years on, Tunisian emotions mixed in birthplace of Arab Spring

Ten years after the first Arab Spring protests erupted in the central Tunisian city of Sidi Bouzid, the locals are still suffering economic hardships amid a lack of government support.