Tunisia: Kais Saied denounces 'premeditated' acts behind water and electricity cuts

Thursday 27 August 2026 - 15:09

The increasing frequency of water and electricity cuts in Tunisia, amid extreme heat, is taking on a political dimension. President Kais Saied stated that some disruptions observed in several regions were not solely due to technical failures, suggesting deliberate actions aimed at escalating tensions in the country.

Since the beginning of summer, episodes of extreme heat have heavily strained Tunisian infrastructure. In July, and again at the end of August, temperatures approached 50 degrees, leading to a significant rise in demand for electricity and water.

Rolling blackouts affecting several cities

The cuts can last several hours and also affect Tunis, the country's main urban area. In response to the pressure on the electrical grid, the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (Steg) has resumed publishing notices announcing rolling blackouts in different areas.

The energy situation also has direct consequences on water supply. A significant part of the network indeed relies on pumping, making distribution vulnerable to power outages.

Additionally, there are difficulties in the bottled water sector. Production has been affected by electrical disruptions as well as a shortage of plastic bottles. In several stores, bottled water has become harder to find and is subject to purchase restrictions.

Kais Saied mentions deliberate actions

After a meeting with the head of government, relevant ministers, and the heads of public companies responsible for electricity and water, Kais Saied estimated that the observed disruptions could not all be considered mere incidents.

The Tunisian president claims that the conclusions of the investigations conducted have revealed, in certain areas, acts he describes as premeditated and aimed, according to him, at creating an atmosphere of tension and confusion among the population.

These statements occur within a social context already marked by difficulties related to the rising energy demand, episodes of intense heat, and supply issues.

A public services crisis amid political tensions

Since the summer of 2021, when Kais Saied dismissed the head of government and suspended Parliament's activities, the Tunisian political landscape has profoundly changed. The president has since concentrated expanded powers, a development that has drawn sharp criticism from several human rights organizations.

Tunisian and international NGOs, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, denounce a deterioration of public freedoms and prosecutions targeting opposition leaders, journalists, lawyers, and activists.

In this context, the water and electricity cuts now represent much more than a simple technical problem. As authorities face intense pressure on infrastructure, the accusations from the Tunisian president add a new political dimension to a crisis that directly affects the daily lives of millions of citizens.