Growing Unrest in Tunisia

Early on Sunday, Tunisian police officers fired into the air to disperse rioters in the capital. According to the government, the riots, which were sparked by police using teargas in a mosque to break up a demonstration on Friday, were organized by extremists. According to local reports, 100 to 200 mostly young men marched through the capital, and were dispersed with teargas. Meanwhile, a 14-year-old was killed, two were injured, and nine arrested overnight in Sidi Bouzid, when police fired to break up protests. According to the police chief, security forces opened fire after protesters began throwing petrol bombs, and the boy was hit by a stray bullet. According to the Interior Ministry, in Menzel Bourguiba, a town north of Tunis, six policemen were injured on Saturday when exchanging fire with extremists. What had started as a sit-in of protesters opposed to the interim government degenerated into violence, according to the ministry.

Since Friday, protesters have called for the resignation of Interim Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi and for a ban on the government participation of former regime officials. The New York Times argues that “The rioting was the starkest sign to date of the friction between Tunisia’s secular establishment and Islamists who have been growing more assertive since the country’s autocratic leader was ousted in a revolution six months ago.”

UPDATE: During an address today, Prime Minister Essebsi asserted that the recent disturbances were intended to disturb the upcoming elections, which he reiterated would be held on October 23 as planned.