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Tunisians decry coup, while president's supporters claim 'second revolution'

On the streets of Tunis, rumors and anticipation of July 25 demonstrations have been circulating for weeks.
President Kais Saied backers on July 26, 2021

TUNIS — While July 25 is the anniversary of the true birth of Tunisia as an independent republic, this year the date saw widespread protests that climaxed with President Kais Saied suspending parliament and sacking key ministers, including the head of government.

Despite the weekend “lockdowns,” part of the ailing government’s desperate attempts to control the high infection rate of COVID-19 in Tunisia, currently the most infected country per capita in Africa according to the World Health Organization, Tunisia saw widespread demonstrations across the country. Protests ranged from Sidi Bouzid in the south, which was the birthplace of the 2011 popular uprising, to the country's north.

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