Tunisian 'Conspiracy' Case Adjourned: Dictator Plays For Time
The latest adjournment of the appeal for Tunisian opposition figures accused of plotting against the state, as reported by The New Arab, is framed as a procedural hiccup. However, this isn't just due process; it's President Kais Saied's well-worn strategy for maintaining power. Since his 2021 power grab—dissolving parliament and consolidating authority—accusations of vague 'conspiracies' have
become his go-to for sidelining perceived threats. These aren't fresh charges; many date back to Saied's power consolidation in July 2021, mirroring the playbook of autocrats from Cairo to Caracas: use the judiciary to keep political rivals preoccupied, discredited, and ultimately, incarcerated. One might wonder if the 'conspiracy' is political opposition itself, redefined as a threat to national
security when convenient. Keeping opponents gridlocked in court, unable to campaign or organize effectively, is a feature, not a bug, of this type of 'democracy.' The West, usually so vocal about democratic principles, remains remarkably muted, perhaps because Saied’s brand of 'stability,' however illiberal, is often preferred over the messy realities of genuine democratic transition in the
region.