A general strike in southeastern Tunisia’s industrial coastal region, Gabes, has brought the city to a standstill, highlighting the scale of public discontent over pollution and environmental degradation. The strike, which was widely supported by local groups, is sparked by cases of poisoning and asphyxiation among residents exposed to toxic gas emissions from factories owned by the Tunisian Chemical Group.
Residents have demanded radical action, including dismantling the polluting units that have been in operation since the 1970s. The protests pose a significant challenge to President Kais Saied’s government, which has long defended the need for phosphate production as a key economic driver.
Source: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2025/10/22/surge-in-tunisia-poisoning-cases-shakes-kais-saied-s-presidency_6746669_124.html