Tunisia's escalating waste crisis sparks calls for ecological state of emergency

A pervasive sense of neglect is gripping Tunisia, marked by overflowing garbage in neighborhoods, deteriorating streets, and a growing feeling of abandonment among citizens. This widespread insalubrity, particularly evident around public green spaces like El Hadika park in Cité Ettahrir and Helmi Manai park in Bab El Khadhra, has become a significant source of public discontent.

While the financial difficulties faced by local authorities are acknowledged, many Tunisians believe that a lack of maintenance, inadequate resources, and systemic failures in municipal service organization are critically worsening the situation. Reports from coastal cities in the south highlight environmental pollution where waste contaminates waterways, while urban areas grapple with persistent unsanitary conditions.

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After nearly three weeks spent in Tunisia, one image imposes itself on me: that of generalized laissez-faire. This affects everything, from waste collection to street cleanliness, to the state of certain public administrations where one sometimes encounters unmotivated or uninvolved agents.

One Tunisian, returning from a visit, described a "generalized laissez-faire" affecting everything from waste collection and street cleanliness to the motivation of public administration employees. He noted the alarming state of roads, with faded markings and a disregard for traffic laws, concluding that "mediocrity is gradually settling in, becoming a habit."

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I sincerely think it is high time to sound the alarm and declare an ecological state of emergency in Tunisia. Our major cities, starting with the capital Tunis, are sinking day by day under the weight of an invisible but destructive scourge: the invasion of waste that litters our streets and disfigures our neighborhoods.

Environmental advocates are sounding the alarm, calling for an "ecological state of emergency." They point to the invasion of waste in major cities, including the capital Tunis, as a destructive force. Even affluent areas are not immune, as evidenced by a recent incident where municipal workers cleaning a secluded alley discovered rats and vipers amidst the trash, highlighting a severe and escalating health crisis.

The situation underscores a critical juncture where incivility, inaction, and neglect threaten public health and the environment, demanding urgent attention and systemic solutions.

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This is no longer just a question of aesthetics or cleanliness, it is a major health crisis that is literally creeping to our doors.