In the early hours of Friday, Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister Kamel Madouri, according to an official statement from the presidency. Madouri, who was appointed in August 2024 as part of a major reshuffle, was immediately replaced by Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, the current Minister of Equipment. Despite the change at the top, the rest of the government will remain in place, and no official explanation has been given for Madouri’s abrupt removal.
This marks the fourth time since Saied’s controversial power grab in the summer of 2021 that a prime minister has been dismissed without warning. The presidency communicated the change via a brief Facebook post, offering no details on the reasons behind Madouri’s dismissal.
President Saied, however, emphasized the importance of improving “governmental work” and addressing “obstacles to meet the expectations of the Tunisian people.” In recent weeks, Saied had expressed growing frustration with his administration, publicly urging ministers to take more decisive action on key issues.
Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, a 62-year-old engineer with extensive experience in infrastructure and international negotiations, now becomes Tunisia’s second female prime minister. Zaafrani is fluent in Arabic, French, English, and German, and is expected to use her background in geotechnical engineering to strengthen the country’s infrastructure sector. Prior to her appointment, she was responsible for managing Tunisia’s highway construction projects within the Ministry of Equipment, and she was heavily involved in negotiating with international donors. Zaafrani succeeds Najla Bouden, who served as the country’s first female prime minister from October 2021 until August 2023.
Salah Zouari will take over Zaafrani’s previous role as Minister of Equipment and Housing.
In a video message preceding the reshuffle, President Saied harshly criticized the leadership of the government, asserting that “every leader must be held fully accountable for their actions.” He also condemned “abuses against citizens” and raised concerns about a series of social movements, including self-immolations, that took place before Ramadan in early March. These incidents have sparked further debate regarding the country’s growing social unrest.
Zaafrani’s appointment comes at a particularly challenging time for Tunisia. The country is facing severe economic and financial difficulties, including slow growth, high unemployment, and mounting national debt. Economic growth has been sluggish at just 0.4% in 2024, while the unemployment rate remains high at 16%. The country’s debt stands at approximately 80% of its GDP, exacerbating the economic crisis.
Moreover, the political climate in Tunisia is tense, with many opposition figures and business leaders either imprisoned or facing politically charged trials. The government’s decision to halt negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) further complicates matters. The IMF had proposed a $2 billion loan in exchange for economic reforms, including cuts to energy subsidies—a proposal that has sparked widespread opposition.
This latest reshuffle adds to the growing concerns about President Saied’s consolidation of power and his ability to steer the country through its current crisis. As Tunisia navigates these challenges, Zaafrani’s leadership will be under intense scrutiny, and her ability to address both the political and economic issues facing the country will be critical to her success.
