Tunisia’s Saied appears, belying Ennahda’s claims about his health

Aya Ezz

The branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in Tunisia tried to stir up sedition in this country.

However, it failed in doing this, especially since the election of Kais Saied as president of the country.

Ennahda group, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Tunisia, is now resorting to the use of rumours as a weapon.

The group last tried to spread rumours about the health of the Tunisian president.

It said President Saied suffered from an incurable illness. Nevertheless, this rumour was shattered by the president’s return to the limelight.

Rumour promoting event

The pro-Brotherhood Salvation Front rushed to hold a press conference last week to promote allegations about the health of the president, calling on the Tunisian government to disclose the reasons for the president’s non-appearance.

Ahmed Najib Chebbi, spokesman for the Salvation Front, claimed that President Saied has been ill since March 23.

He referred to mysteries surrounding his absence, adding that there is a frightening constitutional vacuum.

“The front will not wait until this problem is solved by any party,” Chebbi said. “National consultations should be made to find a mechanism for a smooth transition of power.”

Saied responds by appearing

In response to these rumours, President Saied met Prime Minister, Najla Bouden.

During the meeting, the president referred to parties that tried to stir up crises in the country.

He expressed complete rejection of calls by some people for the army to seize power.

“The courts have to intervene in case of any talk about a coup,” the president said.

The Tunisian presidency said, meanwhile, that the president would attend a celebration of some sewage projects.

The president also expressed hopes to develop a water policy that will help avoid any future crises.

Not the first

These rumours about the health of the president were not the first to be made in Tunisia.

Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, the leader of the Citizens against the Coup initiative which is led by Ennahda movement, called for disclosing the status of the health of the president.

The health condition of the president, he said, should be made clear to everybody.

“This is not about an individual matter, but about a person’s ability to lead, and Tunisians have the right to know the health status of their leader,” Ben Mbarek said.

Prevention of rumours

Tunisian political activist, Mohamed Awabdi, called on the Tunisian government to respond to rumours about the health of the president through competent authorities.

“It is important for the government to take effective measures to prevent the spread of rumours and the promotion of fake news,” Awabdi told The Reference.

He accused the Brotherhood of deliberately spreading rumours to destabilize Tunisia.

This group, he said, feels bitter after being removed from power.

“It wants to take revenge on Saied,” he said.