Tunisia sacks governor of neglected phosphate-rich Gafsa

Tunisia Government on Thursday announced it had fired the governor of the neglected but phosphate-rich Gafsa region. An official cited “failings” in the management of labor relations in the mining sector as the reason for the sack.

The decision comes after protests spread across the country, including Gafsa, last month in some of the worst social unrest since the 2011 revolution.

“The head of government Habib Essid decided to dismiss the governor of Gafsa,” the government said in a statement.

An official said the Governor,Taieb Zarai who had held the post since last April was sacked for “failings,” especially in the management of labor relations in the phosphate sector.

Gafsa is economically important because of its phosphate mines, but remains among the poorest areas of Tunisia despite its natural wealth.

60 unemployed Tunisians from Gafsa walked 400 kilometers to Tunis to demand jobs in early February.

Since the 2011 revolt that toppled Ben Ali, authorities have struggled to improve the country’s economy or resolve regional inequalities.