Tunisian President Kais Saied has ordered the extension of the nationwide state of emergency across Tunisia until December 31, 2026, according to an announcement published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Tunisia.
The decree, issued on January 30, 2026, stipulates that the state of emergency will remain in effect starting January 31 and will apply to the entire country. Under the measure, the executive authority—particularly the Ministry of Interior—is granted expanded security powers, including the ability to ban gatherings, demonstrations, and protests, impose restrictions on movement and travel between cities, and enforce curfews when deemed necessary.
Legal experts and human rights advocates have criticized these exceptional measures, arguing that they impose severe restrictions on civil liberties and conflict with rights guaranteed under the Tunisian constitution.
The previous extension of the state of emergency was issued on December 29, 2025, and was limited to one month, before the latest decision prolonged it for the remainder of the year.
Tunisia’s state of emergency framework dates back to 1978, following mass labor protests known as the “Black Thursday” events, during which security forces confronted demonstrators, resulting in hundreds of casualties. More recently, the measure was reintroduced in 2015 after a series of terrorist attacks, including an attack on a presidential guard bus that killed 12 security personnel and injured 16 others.
Since November 24, 2015, the state of emergency has remained in force without interruption. Its continuation under President Saied is notable, as he had previously been a vocal critic of emergency rule before assuming office.
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