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Tunisia’s Ben Jafar to Asharq Al-Awsat: Transfering Legislative Powers Temporarily to Govt is Constitutional

Former president of Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly Mustafa Ben Jafar (File photo: Reuters)
Former president of Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly Mustafa Ben Jafar (File photo: Reuters)
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Tunisia’s Ben Jafar to Asharq Al-Awsat: Transfering Legislative Powers Temporarily to Govt is Constitutional

Former president of Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly Mustafa Ben Jafar (File photo: Reuters)
Former president of Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly Mustafa Ben Jafar (File photo: Reuters)

Tunisia’s Former President of the Constituent Assembly Mustapha Ben Jafar argued that transfering legislative powers temporarily to Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh, according to Chapter 70 of the constitution, is a “legal political measure imposed by the exceptional stage that the country and the world are going through.”

Ben Jafar said the step was equal to President Kais Saied’s usage of Chapter 80 which considers the country in a dangerous state that requires exceptional measures.

In an interview with Asharq al-Awsat, Ben Jafar expected the political parties that opposed this measure to change their position and accept the comprehensive rescue and intervention plan announced by the government and supported by the president and speaker.

He also indicated that the current stage amid the coronavirus pandemic requires the government to pass laws and decisions even if they contradict with the popular opinion.

In 2011, interim President Fouad Mebazaa declared a state of emergency that enabled him to run the country through decrees and orders, he noted.

Ben Jafar downplayed the political repercussions reported in the Tunisian and international media about deep differences between the three presidents.

He indicated that the disagreements between Saied, Fakhfakh, and Speaker Rached Ghannouchi are secondary and merely procedural over some powers.

Ben Jafar said statements by officials close to the three presidents confirm their keenness over joint work, especially during this stage where the country and the world are facing health risks and signs of economic, social, political, and security crises.

For his part, Ben Jafar acknowledged the existence of “an issue of confidence” between some politicians, especially that the majority of citizens are now disappointed given that the reforms demanded by the youth of the revolution 10 years ago have not been implemented.

Asked about the government of Fakhfakh, Ben Jafar considered that the cabinet is the most democratic in the contemporary history of Tunisia because it includes well-known human rights and democracy figures.

He admitted that a large segment of the people, especially its youth, do not trust the authorities because of their lack of participation in public affairs and political life.

Ben Jafar expected coordination between the three presidents to improve immediately after the coronavirus pandemic has subsided, especially that everyone had discovered the efficacy of the latest decisions including lockdown, closing cafes, clubs, mosques, and airports.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.