Heat, Hardships and Protests: Is Tunisia Headed Toward Another Arab Spring?

posted on: Jul 29, 2026

Photo Credit: Ashoola (Wikicommons)

By: Nadia Boughanmi / Arab America Contributing Writer

Power outages, unlivable wages and watercuts have taken Tunisia by storm in the past year. This has left Tunisian’s unsatisfied with how their beautiful country is being run. After the 2011 Arab Spring, which was considered a successful wave into democracy for the nation, Tunisians believed things would start to change for the better. 

Tunisians saw a hope for democracy, that the changes that they had fought for would be made. However, that hope had started to fade, with many taking the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the current state of the political sphere. July 25th of this year had started a string of protests with Tunisians demanding their voices to be heard. This has left the question of whether or not there needs to be a repeat of the 2011 Arab Spring. 

Power Outages

Tunisia is just one of the North African countries experiencing major power outages during this summer’s heat wave. The power grid is not strong enough to account for the mass usage of air conditioning during this summer’s weather. Many citizens have reported that they are going without electricity for hours or even days. Some larger cities face their power being shut off for up to 10 hours at a time or power being cut every 5 hours. Smaller towns have been hit with outages that have lasted up to 3 days. 

Having no access to electricity has created unsafe conditions for many elders and children due to the high temperatures the country is currently facing. Air conditioning also doesn’t work leaving people without a way to keep cool during a heat wave. It is also extremely difficult to work in these conditions because it is too hot without air conditioning or fans, and businesses can’t run properly without functioning electricity for appliances. 

Many Tunisians own small shops that rely on electricity for refrigeration in order to sell goods to make a living. Limiting electricity puts them at a risk of food spoilage or even having to close shop for the day. Coffee is a key part to any Tunisian’s day, but even cafes have struggled due to many modern-day coffee machines being run off electricity. 

Water Cuts

Electricity is not the only daily source being cut during this blazing summer, the water is as well. The extreme heat has set Tunisia into a “drought,” with many dams depleting. With dams depleting and fresh water sources drying up, there is not enough supply to meet the demand. People up water usage in the summer by cooling off in a cold shower or young kids playing outside their homes with water hoses.

Due to the demand outweighing the supply, there have been scheduled disconnections of the water lines. For hours at a time, water lines are shut off in order to preserve the amount available in the country. Having such a dry climate makes it extremely difficult to preserve enough water to be used by the amount of people living and visiting the country.

Climate change has taken a toll on the water cuts as well. The extreme heat has dried up freshwater courses and dams as stated above. It has also increased the amount of forest fires throughout the country. More fires equals using more water in an attempt to fight the flames that have spread to residential areas. Since a surplus is being used there, water cuts have become more frequent and last longer. 

Wages & Jobs 

When water and electricity are cut, it becomes difficult for people to do their jobs and run their business. Which, ultimately affects their wages and the money they are making from the work they do. Store owners struggle to keep food and other products fresh due to a lack of refrigeration. Restaurant owners face a similar struggle, as well as water cuts affecting sanitation and cooking abilities. 

This has resulted in some making difficult decisions to close shop for the day and miss out on making their daily wage. Not making a sum of money for the day does take a toll on these small business owners that rely on day to day foot traffic. The cost of living has skyrocketed globally, making times extremely hard, so every day and every cent counts. Tunisian’s have become enraged with how the electricity and water cuts have affected their ability to work and make money. 

An Arab Spring Repeat? 

With all of the growing issues faced, this has posed a question for Tunisians, will there be a repeat of 2011. Hundreds of Tunisians have taken the streets in the capital city of Tunis, to protest the injustices they are facing. Protesters hold signs and call out governmental officials for an abuse of power by shutting down the sources that Tunisians make their livings off of. 

Accusations of these water and power cuts being done due to a poorly run government and abuse of power have been widely made throughout the past week. Protestors that have taken the streets have mentioned that abuse of power undermines the democracy they fought for. The struggle with democracy currently has created a stir in comment sections across platforms and media outlets in the country. Many question if the only way to beat the government’s abuse of power is to “re-do” the exact fight for democracy they once had during the Arab Spring. 

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