Tunisian President Kais Sayed sacked Prime Minister Ahmed Hashani and on Minister of Social Affairs Kamel Madouri was appointed in his place, the Tunisian presidency said late yesterday, as quoted by Reuters and BTA.
Hashani was appointed prime minister in August last year. Hours before he was removed, Hashani said in a video address that the government had made progress on a number of issues, such as ensuring Tunisia's food and energy security, despite global challenges.
The prime minister was removed amid popular discontent over the systematic shutdown of water and electricity in many parts of Tunisia. Although the government says Tunisia is suffering from a prolonged drought that has forced the introduction of a quota system in water distribution, Sayed believes the water cuts are part of a plot ahead of the presidential election. According to the head of state, there is enough water in the dams.
The Agriculture Minister stated that the water level in the dams is extremely low and that they are only 25% full.
Sayed announced his candidacy for the presidential election in October despite criticism from the opposition and human rights organizations that he was restricting the rights of other candidates and intimidating them in order to secure a second presidential term.