Tunisian President Kais Saied on Monday made an appearance in a video posted on his official Facebook page, dismissing all the rumors and reports over his health following almost two weeks of public absence, reported Africa News.
Tunisia’s main opposition coalition had previously asked the government to explain the reason behind Saied’s absence, saying it had information that he was sick.
“These people deserve nothing but contempt,” the Tunisian president said in the video referring to his political rivals.
“The president is absent for two or three days, he gets a cold and that becomes a problem, a power vacuum?”
Saied appeared in the video alongside Prime Minister Najla Bouden. Notably, as per Facebook posts, the 65-year-old Saied had not appeared in public or held any meetings since March 22.
His absence sparked rumors and led to reports questioning the state of his health.
In the video, the president said the reports reflected a level of never seen before madness in the country.
Earlier on Monday, Ahmed Nejib Chebbi of the National Salvation Front opposition coalition told reports that they want the Tunisian government to address the people and clarify about the president’s health condition.
Chebbi said Prime Minister Bouden would run the country if there is a temporary power vacuum, but in case of a permanent vacancy, the country will head to a great catastrophe.
In his video, Saied accused unnamed people of trying to create crises by talking of a power vacuum. He said such people have lost the plot and seem to be obsessed with power.
Back in July 2021, Saied staged a dramatic power grab, froze the Tunisian parliament, and sacked the then government and has since ruled by decree, moves that opposition and critics have described as an undemocratic coup. Last year, he brought forward a new constitution giving his office unlimited powers and neutering parliament.
