Reports in Tunisia suggesting efforts are under way to secure the release of jailed Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi in exchange for political concessions have sparked debate over whether the Islamist movement would be willing to strike such a deal.
Ghannouchi, the longtime leader of Ennahda, which is widely regarded as Tunisia’s main Muslim Brotherhood-linked political movement, is being held in connection with several cases, including allegations involving a secret security apparatus linked to the party and conspiring against state security.
His defence team has said the 85-year-old politician was transferred to hospital several times in recent weeks because of health problems.
Ennahda has so far made no public comment on reports of a possible initiative involving Ghannouchi’s release, adding to uncertainty over whether the movement would accept political conditions in return.
The reports have not been limited to Ghannouchi. Tunisian media have also suggested that any potential presidential pardon or release initiative could include Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, head of the opposition National Salvation Front, as well as other jailed political figures.
Tunisian political analyst Abubakr al-Saghir said discussion of such an initiative began around the anniversary of President Kais Saied’s July 25, 2021 power grab.
Speaking to Erem News, Saghir said reports indicated that some detainees may have submitted requests for presidential pardons after reflecting on their experiences in prison.
However, he said the circumstances differed significantly between those involved because some of the names under discussion had held prominent political positions and played major roles in Tunisia during the previous decade.
Saghir said Ennahda had meanwhile been seeking international pressure on Tunisian authorities to release Ghannouchi, particularly on humanitarian grounds.
According to Saghir, the movement has pursued diplomatic and political activity in several European and Asian capitals in support of Ghannouchi.
He argued that the Tunisian authorities were unlikely to respond positively to such pressure, pointing to the government’s rejection of previous foreign criticism over the detention of Tunisian journalist Mourad Zeghidi.
Saghir also questioned whether Ennahda itself was prepared to make meaningful concessions.
He said the movement continued to try to mobilise domestic and international pressure on the government despite having lost much of its former political influence.
Tunisia’s prison authorities recently rejected claims that Ghannouchi was suffering from an exceptional or critical health condition, disputing statements made by his defence team.
Political analyst Mohamed Salah al-Obeidi also said a major political breakthrough appeared unlikely under current circumstances.
Obeidi told Erem News that Tunisia’s leading opposition groups, including Ennahda and the National Salvation Front, continued to mobilise against the government.
He added that Ennahda was unlikely to make concessions solely to secure Ghannouchi’s release because several other senior figures from the movement were also imprisoned and facing lengthy sentences.
“The situation of Ennahda and its leadership is extremely complicated,” Obeidi said.
