A Leader of the Ennahda Movement Reveals the Secrets of the Coup of Kais Saied in Tunisia

The Tunisian Ennahda movement sees the decisions of President Kais Saied, which he issued on July 25, 2021, as a coup against the democratic path, bypassing the constitution, and a disruption of democratic life.

Ennahda stressed, "that all the details confirm the presence of Egyptian fingers in the scenario of burning headquarters and declaring exceptional conditions in the country."

In his interview with Al-Estiklal, the official spokesman of the Ennahda movement, Fathi Al-Ayadi, says: The positions of most parties, national organizations and active political figures in Tunisia reject these "exceptional decisions."

He explains that the hopes of those who welcome those decisions are receding day after day, and they are disappointed to get Tunisia out of its crises over time.

He adds that the Tunisian people will continue to adhere to the democratic path, and they cannot give up their freedom, which lasted 10 years.

Ayadi stresses that Ennahda believes that "adhering to the constitution and democracy is more important than clinging to power."

He points out that it had previously abdicated in 2014, in exchange for the completion of the country's constitution, and it is ready to repeat that for the sake of Tunisia's democracy.

Since July 25, Tunisia has been witnessing a major political crisis, as President Kais Saied announced the dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and the freezing of Parliament, among several decisions that gave him full authority.

These decisions were considered by Ennahda movement as a coup and it called for a national dialogue to get out of the crisis.

 

 

Ennahda Analysis

 

• How do Ennahda analyze the resolutions of July 25? Does it understand them ? What do these decisions mean?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: The Ennahda movement considers the July 25 decisions as a coup against the democratic path in Tunisia, bypassing the constitution and disrupting democratic life by freezing the work of Parliament.

We cannot understand such decisions because they are looking for solutions outside the constitution. It is true that our country is experiencing many health, social, financial and political crises.

But this does not mean that the solution to disrupting democracy, which allows us to manage our differences and provides a space for national dialogue, will undoubtedly open up solutions to the current crisis.

 

• How do you see the position of the Tunisian political forces and parties concerning the decisions?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: Most of the positions of political parties, national organizations and political figures reject these decisions.

All of them are unanimous in the need for a speedy return to the democratic situation, and to provide the necessary guarantees to prevent any violation of public and private liberties and the continued violation of the Constitution.

 

• Will the Tunisian people allow the return of dictatorship again?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: I do not think that the Tunisian people will allow the return of dictatorship. Perhaps they will accept for a while these self-establishing measures from within the constitution in the hope that the situation will improve.

But they will not allow these measures to be extended to a situation in which democracy is disrupted and freedoms are confiscated.

The revolution's values ​​of freedom, dignity and social justice will remain alive. 10 years of freedom cannot be easily erased.

 

 

Dialogue Opportunity

 

• How does the political community respond to the Ennahda call for dialogue? Are there indicators that make it possible with Said and the rest of the components of Tunisian society?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: The movement's call for dialogue in order to overcome the political crisis was accepted by many parties as it helps maintain social peace and protects the country from the dangers of chaos and violence.

We hope that it will then develop into a framework for consultation and cooperation between the various political parties to formulate political settlements that will help the country return to its normal democratic status.

 

• Does the movement hope to return and participate in governance through the dialogue ?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: The goal of the dialogue is to overcome the situation after the coup from disrupting state institutions, and the country is in dire need of a rescue government that oversees the management of the situation and the return of Parliament to its work.

The movement affirms that it is ready for political settlements in order to preserve democracy and not prejudice the constitution; The movement sees adherence to the constitution is more important than its adherence to power.

 

• Is the investigation into the financing of electoral campaigns the beginning of a retaliatory campaign targeting the movement?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: These are fabricated cases, and we are certain that the independent Tunisian judiciary will apply justice.

 

• Ennahda was subjected to crises that were overcome, especially in 2014, what about this crisis?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: There is no doubt that Tunisia has lived and is still living through the difficulties of the democratic transition, and just as it has succeeded in overcoming previous difficulties, it is also able to overcome the current crisis.

It is true that this crisis has reached a critical point that may be difficult to deal with. But the flexibility of the movement and other political parties and their ability to build a network of solutions helps to agree on the most appropriate stage.

 

 

Kais and Essebsi

 

• How has Ennahda managed its relationship with President Kais Saied since his candidacy until now?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: The movement was keen on continuing the dialogue and consultation with the Head of State, and it still affirms that dialogue is the way to overcome all the problems facing our country.

 

• Has the movement been exposed to similar situations in its relationship with President Beji Caid Essebsi?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: The relationship with the late President Beji Caid Essebsi was largely governed by the constitution and the political consensus that helped to overcome all the differences that occurred.

 

• Ennahda recognizes a social and economic failure, and the Mechichi government has not fulfilled its duty, so does that work now?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: Ennahda recognized the severity of the social and economic situation some time ago and directed all its efforts to alleviate it and worked to improve the work of the government through the ministerial transformation that the head of state rejected and blocked.

It also called on all political parties for a political dialogue that would lead to the formation of a new government that would address health, economic and social challenges.

 

• What is the parliament's position on the upcoming procedures?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: Our assessment is that Parliament will return to work after the end of the month. Parliament's return has become the demand of all political parties and national organizations.

 

 

Egypt and Neighboring Countries

 

• What is the similarity between the Tunisian and Egyptian case?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: There is no similarity between the Tunisian and Egyptian cases, despite the keenness of some to recall the Egyptian experience. Tunisia has its own peculiarities and has the ability to overcome all crises with the slightest damage.

 

• What is the truth about the presence of Egyptian fingers in the details, and the scenario of burning headquarters and declaring exceptional conditions?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: There is a lot confirming this.

 

• What is the position of neighboring countries and the regional and international surroundings of Saied's decisions?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: There is a clear rejection of these decisions and an explicit call for the return of the parliamentary institution.

 

• What is the vision of the Ennahda movement to save the country now?

Fathi Al-Ayadi: The elements of this vision are mainly represented in the return of democracy to Tunisia, and there is no democracy without a parliament , as well as speeding up the formation of a government in consultation and submitting it to Parliament to gain confidence, and a peaceful and civil struggle for the restoration of democracy.