A month ago, on July 25, Kais Saied, President of Tunisia, dismissed the country’s government and took over executive powers, pledging to improve governance and clean up corruption in a country with a population of nearly 12 million.
Mr Saied said last month he would appoint a new government in 30 days and lay out a roadmap for the political future of the country. But even as he has extended today's deadline, he maintains the support of the majority of Tunisians. As one of his supporters told The National, thinking that more than 30 years of corruption could be rooted out in 30 days would be naive. In a poll last month, 87 per cent of Tunisians supported Mr Saied's dismissal of the government, even as political rivals such as Tunisia's Islamist party, Ennahda, decried it as a coup.
The fact is that many Tunisians are long past the hopes they pinned on the political system formed in the wake of their country’s uprising in 2011. Facing budget deficits and the value of their life savings dipping, Tunisians need good governance and stable leadership. Like many around the Arab world, the Tunisian people understand the link between good governance and prosperity.
Mr Saied, 63, a former law professor, was elected by a huge margin in 2019. His no-frills election campaign – which forewent even air conditioners and chairs – was unlike those of other political parties. Mr Saied went door to door and ran on a message of integrity and anti-corruption, which resonated especially well among young voters.
Since last month, he has vowed to get to the bottom of allegations of $4.8bn of public money being plundered by officials. Mr Saied reportedly wants to overhaul the state apparatus and put an end to the political polarisation that has proliferated during the past decade in Tunisia. And he has shown that he means business: just last week he sacked 14 officials high up in the phosphate industry, including a director and procurement head at the ministry. Once one of the biggest producers of phosphate, Tunisia's mineral yield has declined from about 8 mn tonnes in 2010 to 3 mn last year. Intolerant of graft, Mr Saied has since frozen Parliament, appointed new interim caretakers in key ministries, particularly the interior ministry, and picked a new intelligence chief.
This sends a message of seriousness and strong decision-making to people even as they wait to see whether the new government, when it is installed, will live up to expectations. The mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic by the now-suspended government pushed people to pin their hopes on Mr Saied, who represents a future they want and deserve. With an unemployment rate of over 17 per cent, distraught Tunisians feel they have, over the years, been dealt a raw deal. They are disinclined to put up with any further mismanagement and draining of national resources.
Those who oppose Mr Saied’s plans complain that he has not been as transparent as he could be about the steps he will take. His government has demonstrated its ability to communicate and organise well in other areas – for example, its recent response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Mass vaccination drives progressed well in the past few weeks. On Saturday, nearly 600,000 people received a jab, and earlier in August, nearly five per cent of the population was inoculated in a single day – bolstered by 47 tonnes of medical supplies sent by the UAE.
Tunisians see in Mr Saied a man to get the house in order and end the corruption and political malaise. The challenge will be whether he can deliver in such challenging circumstances. Setting a clear road map and picking the right people to be in his governing team will be vital in order to deliver.
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
Who is Tim-Berners Lee?
Sir Tim Berners-Lee was born in London in a household of mathematicians and computer scientists. Both his mother, Mary Lee, and father, Conway, were early computer scientists who worked on the Ferranti 1 - the world's first commercially-available, general purpose digital computer. Sir Tim studied Physics at the University of Oxford and held a series of roles developing code and building software before moving to Switzerland to work for Cern, the European Particle Physics laboratory. He developed the worldwide web code as a side project in 1989 as a global information-sharing system. After releasing the first web code in 1991, Cern made it open and free for all to use. Sir Tim now campaigns for initiatives to make sure the web remains open and accessible to all.
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The biog
Favourite Quote: “Real victories are those that protect human life, not those that result from its destruction emerge from its ashes,” by The late king Hussain of Jordan.
Favourite Hobby: Writing and cooking
Favourite Book: The Prophet by Gibran Khalil Gibran
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In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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Name: Lamsa
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
