Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi accused local media and some politicians of increasing tensions in the country, prompting the authorities to impose a nationwide nighttime curfew.
His address came hours after the Interior Ministry announced a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. In a televised address to the nation, Essebsi said “Tunisia is being targeted” and that “malicious hands have exploited legitimate demonstrations in some areas to sow discord.”
He added that “some bandits and professional thieves have taken over peaceful protests demanding jobs in order to commit violence, vandalism and attacks on private and public property.” He called on the government to provide quick solutions to unemployment.
Tunisia has witnessed unrest in different parts of the country over high youth unemployment. Protests began in Kasserine after an unemployed young man, Ridha Yahyaoui, died by suicide following the rejection of his job application.
The protests were the worst since the 2011 uprising that toppled former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and sparked the uprisings known as the Arab Spring.
One-third of Tunisian young people are unemployed, while unemployment among graduates stands at 62%. The situation has worsened since the revolution in 2011.