Tunisia Faces Nighttime Protests Amid Widespread Anger Over Electricity Outages

Several regions in Tunisia are experiencing nighttime protests triggered by frequent electricity outages coinciding with an unprecedented heatwave. This situation has generated significant anger and dissatisfaction among the population.

Protesters have organized demonstrations and sit-ins outside the headquarters of the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas, as well as other official buildings. Local media reports indicate that five deaths occurred after respiratory devices (oxygen machines) stopped functioning in patients' homes due to power cuts.

Other demonstrators have blocked roads and set tires on fire, demanding the restoration of electricity after outages lasting several hours, with some areas enduring interruptions exceeding a full day.

Protests have taken place in multiple governorates, including Tataouine in the south and Manouba in the Greater Tunis area. Participants emphasized that the ongoing power cuts endanger the lives of patients reliant on electrically powered medical devices. Some protesters displayed their paid electricity bills to highlight their frustration over continued outages despite fulfilling payment obligations.

For the first time, the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas announced the implementation of a scheduled and systematic power cut system nationwide. This measure has intensified public anger, especially as some regions have experienced simultaneous water supply interruptions alongside the electricity outages.

The crisis has also provoked widespread dissatisfaction within commercial sectors, as business owners have suffered significant losses due to spoilage of goods caused by repeated power failures. Several merchants posted videos on social media platforms documenting the extent of the damage to their operations.

In Ben Arous governorate, Mohamed Ghanam, 51, a bakery owner, told "Iram News" that daily electricity outages exceeding four hours have caused him severe losses. He also expressed concern for his mother, who is preparing for surgery at a public hospital in the capital, warning that recurring outages could disrupt medical procedures.

Najla, who runs a women's hair salon, reported that power and water outages lasting over five hours led to the cancellation of numerous appointments, resulting in substantial financial losses. She added that many acquaintances face difficult circumstances because relatives suffer from chronic illnesses requiring electrically powered devices, making the ongoing outages a serious worry.

In response to mounting criticism, the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas clarified that the outages stem from record-high electricity consumption. The company affirmed that the scheduled power cut system serves as a precautionary measure to maintain the stability of the national grid and prevent a total blackout.

Faisal Tarifa, the company's general manager, stated in local media interviews that the exceptional heatwave caused electricity demand to reach unprecedented levels, accompanied by technical factors that affected the electrical system's stability.

He added that intensive use of air conditioners during peak hours, between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., was a primary factor increasing pressure on the grid. He urged citizens to rationalize electricity consumption during these peak times.