El Kef, Tunisia — Thousands protested in north-eastern Tunisia on Thursday to mark a general strike over unemployment and poverty, six years since a revolution ignited by similar grievances. Demonstrators gathered at the local branch of the powerful UGTT trade union in Kef, 180km west of Tunis, before marching down the main streets. "Work, freedom, dignity!" they shouted. "Kef has the right to development!" They denounced the government over "broken promises" to develop the region. "This demonstration and strike are important, raising a cry of anger in the face of a situation that cannot last," teacher Rached Salhi said. Government offices, private companies, shops and cafés were closed and shuttered. Only hospitals, pharmacies and bakeries remained open. Kamel Saihi, deputy chief of the UGTT’s regional office, said governments had marginalised the north-eastern region. "It has been ignored by successive governments since the revolution and [current Prime Minister] Youssef Chahed di...
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