Tunisians face escalating consumer prices and food insecurity
A24 spoke to everyday Tunisians about the sharpening economic crisis as lines of cars formed at gas stations blocking traffic and homemakers go from shop to shop looking for basics like cooking oil, sugar and butter, A24 spoke to everyday Tunisians about the sharpening economic crisis.
“We search for sugar in every store but to no avail,” said Tunis homemaker Oumaimah. “Flour is back in the markets these days but rice is no longer there.”
Some interviewees directed their anger at Prime Minister Najla Bouden, a Tunisian geologist and university professor picked by President Kais Saied when he assumed wide powers in July 2021.
“The government is headed by a woman for a reason,” Tunis resident Suhail Belharith told A24. “In addition to raw materials being sold to the West, the West has non-peaceful intentions in appointing these rulers.”
Other interviewees demanded that those responsible for the high prices be held accountable for the surge in the cost of living. President Saied has yet to directly address the shortages in public but did dismiss the head of Tunisia’s petroleum distribution company in late August.