Tunisia: President fires cereals authority chief amid rising prices

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has fired Béchir Kthiri, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of cereals Authority amid rising prices that he imputed, few days ago, to monopoly.

The presidential office Monday August 14 indicated that Kthiri has been replaced by Salwa Benhadid Zouari.

The office added that the President ordered the ministry of Justice to take legal actions against speculators.

The appointment of the new CEO came one day after Saied slammed mafias and cartels for monopolizing basic goods and products that have caused a surge of prices.

During a visit to the commune of El Battane in the Manouba governorate on Sunday August 13, the Tunisian leader blamed cartels and mafias for concealing foods, goods, and medicines to cause shortage and increase in prices. “Bread is available, but tons of flour and semolina are hidden away. The same goes for coffee, sugar, and medicines,” he said. “These shortages are caused by cartels intending to wreak havoc,” he added.