Tunisia leader extends powers over judiciary

Tunisian President Kais Saied yesterday officially replaced a key judicial watchdog and gave himself powers to sack judges, as well as banning them from going on strike.

Hours after the decree was published on Sunday, hundreds of protesters demonstrated in central Tunis to voice their fears for an independent judiciary.

Saied's decree came a week after he said he would dissolve the High Judicial Council (CSM), prompting a nationwide shutdown of courts by judges. Saied last July sacked the government, suspended parliament and seized a range of powers before moving to rule by decree, sparking fears for what had been seen as the only democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring uprisings.