Description: Police forces clashed with environmental protesters in the southern city of Gabes, as demonstrators attempted to enter an industrial complex pertaining to the state – owned Chemical Group of Tunisia (CGT). The protests were reflecting a longstanding dispute between the 400 thousand residents of the city which have blamed the local and national government for prioritizing industrial development while not taking environmental concerns seriously. Demonstrators expressed public outrage over the factory’s most recent gas leaks which have substantially contributed to increased levels of pollution which was connected to the increased number of illnesses such as cancer and respiratory diseases. Tunisian President, Kais Saied stated that an emergency commission has been established to address the concerns from the environmental protests which would conduct thorough investigation into CGT’s activities.
Impact: The environmental protests in Tunisia have challenged the government to combat and properly tackle the excessive levels of pollution which have been endangering human health and environmental safety on the expense of industrial development. Currently there are no reported casualties from the protests, however, taking into account the global trend of anti – government uprisings, social movements such as this could rapidly transpire towards a full – scale civil and political crisis. Tunisia’s President has immediately addressed the unrest promising to establish a direct line of communication with the demonstrators which is a positive sign of de-escalation. The establishment of the so – called emergency commission would take time while public frustration and anger could rise in the interim. The unrest currently shows no significant signs of escalating, however, in case the demands from the protesters are not taken into account and expediently addressed, the civil unrest could rapidly escalate.