Tunisian President Kais Saied has ordered the extension of the nationwide state of emergency for an additional month, keeping the measure in place until the end of January 2026, according to an official decree published on Tuesday.
The presidential order was released in the latest issue of Official Gazette of Tunisia, dated December 30, 2025. It states that the state of emergency will remain in effect across the entire country from January 1, 2026, until January 30, 2026.
Tunisia first declared a state of emergency on November 24, 2015, following a deadly terrorist attack. Since then, the measure has been repeatedly renewed for varying periods. The most recent extension prior to this decree covered the period from January 31 to December 31, 2025.
Under the state of emergency, the Ministry of Interior is granted broad exceptional powers, including the authority to ban public gatherings, impose curfews, conduct searches of businesses, and monitor press activity, radio broadcasts, and cultural productions such as films and theatrical performances. These measures can be enforced without prior judicial authorization.
The continued use of emergency powers has drawn growing criticism from local and international human rights organizations, which argue that the prolonged state of emergency undermines civil liberties and weakens judicial oversight. Rights groups have repeatedly called on Tunisian authorities to limit the scope and duration of exceptional measures and to ensure greater protection for freedom of expression and assembly.
President Saied’s decision comes amid ongoing political and economic challenges in Tunisia, where security concerns and governance issues continue to shape government policy. While officials argue that the emergency measures are necessary to safeguard public order and national security, critics warn that repeated extensions risk normalizing extraordinary powers and restricting fundamental rights.
Follow the latest news on Google News
