Protests Erupt in Gabes, Tunisia Over Chemical Complex Amid Environmental and Health Concerns

On Thursday, hundreds of residents in Gabes, a city in southeastern Tunisia, took to the streets in a significant protest against a local chemical complex. This demonstration coincided with a court hearing that was set to consider the suspension of the complex's industrial activities, which residents claim have been responsible for severe environmental pollution for decades.

Protesters voiced their demands for the dismantling of the complex, which they identify as a primary contributor to the degradation of both marine and agricultural environments in the area. They highlighted that byproducts from the complex, particularly "phosphogypsum," have led to a dramatic decline in biodiversity in the Gulf of Gabes, with recent studies indicating a loss exceeding 90%.

Participants also raised concerns about the health implications of the pollution, noting that Gabes has experienced elevated rates of respiratory illnesses, including asthma, as well as a higher incidence of cancer compared to other regions in Tunisia.

This wave of protests is part of a broader movement that includes sit-ins and other demonstrations organized by civil society and labor groups. Activists are urging judicial authorities to take decisive action to safeguard public health and the environment, calling attention to what they describe as a persistent neglect of the industrial pollution issue.