Uncertain future for Ennahda as it marks founding anniversary

Ali Rajab

The Ennahda Movement came officially into being four decades ago, after operating secretly for nine years. It was the first Islamic party to be founded in Tunisia.

The movement was not on good terms with late Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, against the background of its violent conduct.

Ennahda tried to bring Ben Ali’s regime down several times. When the popular uprising against the long-serving Tunisian leader erupted in 2011, the movement was ready to hijack it and come to the center of the Tunisian political stage.

Almost a decade later, Ennahda has strong influence inside Tunisia, controlling the parliament and the government. It also tries to sideline Tunisian President Qais Saeed.

This is opening the door for conflicts between the movement and ordinary Tunisians on the streets. This also threatens the future prospects of the movement.

As it celebrates the anniversary of its founding, Ennahda also suffers internal rifts, especially after a number of senior figures submitted their resignation.

A number of movement members, including some junior members, signed recently a notice in which they called for initiating reforms inside the movement.

Some of the senior members of the movement accused current head Rached Ghannouchi of corruption, enrichment and the embezzlement of public funds. The same members raised the same charges against Ghannouchi’s son-in-law.

Ennahda is also in the middle of an intense battle against President Saeed as a result of its desire to control the Tunisian political scene and marginalize the Tunisian president.