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Angry protests erupt in Tunisian city demanding development

By Reuters - Apr 29,2019 - Last updated at Apr 29,2019

TUNIS — About 5,000 Tunisians protested on Monday in central Sidi Bouzid city against marginalisation and deteriorating conditions, two days after the deaths of 12 female rural workers in a traffic accident.

Traffic stopped and schools, hospitals and public offices were closed under a regional strike called by unions in Sidi Bouzid, the birthplace of Tunisian revolution. 

The deaths of 12 women travelling to work in an inappropriate vehicle in the village of Sabbela on Saturday provoked a wave of anger among Tunisians.

Similar incidents have occurred in recent months, fuelling Tunisians anger at the high cost of living, unemployment and decline of state services since the overthrow of Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.

Protesters including women and youths in Sidi Bouzid repeated the slogans of the 2011 revolution — “People want to overthrow the regime. We want justice and dignity. Streets and clashes until the regime falls.”

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