TUNIS: Tunisian President Kais Saied on Sunday dissolved a top independent judicial watchdog accusing it of bias, the latest controversial move since he sacked the government last year.

Saied has broadened his grip on power since July 25 when he sacked the government and froze parliament before later moving to rule by decree in Tunisia — the cradle of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings that ousted a series of autocratic leaders.

Many in the North African nation welcomed his moves against a political system described as corrupt and ineffective, in the only democracy to have emerged from the revolts. But political figures and rights groups have warned of a slide towards authoritarianism, and world leaders have expressed deep concern.

In a move sparking further unease, Saied announced he was dissolving the Supreme Judicial Council (CSM) during a meeting with government ministers.

The council “is a thing of the past”, he said according to video footage released by the Tunisian presidency. Saied accused the CSM of serving political interests.

The independent constitutional body was set up in 2016 to guarantee the good functioning and independence of the judiciary.

“In this council, positions and appointments are sold and made according to affiliations,” the head of state said.

“You cannot imagine the money that certain judges have been able to receive, billions and billions,” Saied added.

Analysts and political opponents say the government is seeking to clamp down on the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, which has controlled parliament and the various governments since the 2011 revolution toppled veteran leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

The International Commission of Jurists said the president’s corruption accusations were “unfounded”.

The CSM “has defended the independence of the judiciary” and “any decree to dissolve it is illegal and unconstitutional,” it said.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2022