A court in Tunisia on Thursday ruled against suspending operations at a fertiliser factory in Gabes, stating there is “insufficient proof of harm” despite persistent local protests linking the plant to growing health concerns.
According to Mounir Adouni, leader of the Gabes bar association that filed the case, the judiciary determined that “allegations of pollution lack technical and scientific backing.” The association intends to appeal, although no hearing date has been set for a final verdict.
Environmental issues
A July audit by the African Development Bank flagged “serious non-compliance” regarding air and water pollution at the phosphate-processing facility, which releases sulphur gases, nitrogen, and fluorine into the environment.
Community members staged large protests in October, blaming the factory for worsening health outcomes. Earlier this month, 12 activists from the Stop Pollution group received one-year prison sentences for a 2020 demonstration.
Economic considerations
Despite a 2017 commitment to gradually phase out the plant, authorities are expanding production to capitalize on surging global fertiliser prices, aiming for a fourfold output increase by 2030.
Last month, the African Development Bank greenlit $110 million for environmental improvements, with President Kais Saied calling the factory a “key component of the national economy.”