[Field News] Tunisia holds presidential election on October 6

The office of Tunisian President Kais Sayed announced on the 2nd (local time) that presidential elections will be held in Tunisia on October 6. It was not revealed whether President Sayed would run for re-election.

President Sayed, a former constitutional scholar, took full control of the country in 2021 by dismissing Prime Minister Hisem Messi and dissolving parliament, and many of his opponents are currently in prison.

He passed a constitutional amendment that significantly strengthened the powers of the president through a referendum in 2022.

(Omitted)

The political crisis triggered by President Sayed's seizure of power placed a heavy burden on the Tunisian economy. The unemployment rate is as high as 15%, and about 4 million out of 12 million people are living in poverty.

More than 60 journalists, lawyers and political opponents have been charged in the media crackdown, according to the Tunisian Journalists' Union.

In May, Sayed carried out a surprise cabinet reshuffle, replacing the interior and social affairs ministers following a series of arrests of human rights activists, lawyers and journalists.

Since seizing power in 2021, negotiations for a $2 billion loan with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have stalled, and Sayed has rejected reforms demanded by the IMF.

However, in June, the European Investment Bank announced grants and loans worth 450 million euros (about 671.796 billion won) to support infrastructure projects and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The crisis is forcing thousands of Tunisians to risk their lives by boat crossing the Mediterranean in search of a better life in Europe.

Source: News

22 The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” 23 But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.” (Judges 8:22-23)

As Tunisian President Sayed has significantly strengthened his authority and seized power, we hear that Tunisia's unemployment and poverty rates have increased, and this crisis has resulted in thousands of Tunisians risking their lives attempting to cross the Mediterranean by boat in search of a better life in Europe.

Lord, we believe that you will save the Tunisian people just as you saved the Israelites from the hands of Midian. The ruler of Tunisia is neither the Tunisians nor President Sayed, but God, the ruler of all things. God is the Lord of the Tunisian people, so let the Tunisian people be governed by the Lord!

God, as unemployment and poverty rates rise due to President Sayed's seizure of power, thousands of Tunisians who have lost hope are risking their lives to cross to Europe. Jesus is the only one who can be their eternal hope. May you meet them and help them live by the gospel!

Please visit the Tunisian people who are poor at heart and let this suffering become a path of blessing to meet God! These times may be difficult economically and politically, but lead the Tunisian people to revive through the gospel!