إنقلاب في تونس – ليلة سقوط بورقيبة

In late 1987, Tunisia faced severe political and security crises, exacerbated by Bourguiba's declining mental health and erratic decisions. The conspiracy began when Bourguiba's niece, Saïda Sassi, informed Prime Minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Bourguiba's intention to dismiss him, sparking Ben Ali's decision to act. Secret meetings with General Habib Ammar, Hedi Baccouche, and Kamal Latif were held to plan Bourguiba's ousting.

Hedi Baccouche proposed a plan based on Article 57 of the Tunisian Constitution, which allows the Prime Minister to assume presidency if the president is incapacitated. This meant proving Bourguiba's medical inability to rule. Ben Ali and Ammar agreed, and coordination began discreetly. International support was sought to avoid external opposition, with Kamal Latif contacting the American Ambassador, Robert Pelletreau, who implied US support for Ben Ali. There were also reports of secret coordination with Italian intelligence for a potential escape.

On Friday, November 6th, Bourguiba spent his day normally, signing official documents and attending a dinner. Meanwhile, Ben Ali summoned all security and guard directors to the Ministry of Interior, keeping them under his watch to prevent independent movements. Ben Ali, Baccouche, and other trusted figures prepared the new government's composition and the coup announcement. Dr. Souad Yakoubi and other doctors were present to issue a medical report on the president's condition, while General Habib Ammar oversaw the deployment of National Guard units towards Carthage Palace.

Around 2:15 AM, Colonel Rafik Chally, head of Bourguiba's presidential security, was summoned by Ben Ali to the Ministry of Interior. Ben Ali informed Chally of the plan to remove Bourguiba due to his old age and inability to govern, requesting his cooperation. Chally initially hesitated but complied after Ben Ali emphasized that the plan would proceed with or without his help, hinting at possible use of force. Simultaneously, doctors were pressured to sign a medical report confirming Bourguiba's incapacitation, despite not having examined him. Under duress, they signed the prepared report, thus completing the legal basis for the coup.

A special commando unit from the National Guard, led by Ammar, moved towards Carthage Palace. Rafik Chally arrived ahead to ensure the presidential guard's cooperation, ordering them to disarm. When a guard officer resisted, Ammar's direct intervention, brandishing a pistol, compelled compliance. The presidential guard withdrew, and the commando unit secured the palace without waking Bourguiba. Around 2:00 AM, Ammar radioed Ben Ali, announcing, 'Congratulations, Mr. President.' Concurrently, key Bourguiba loyalists, including Mohamed Sayah, were arrested. By dawn, Ben Ali's statement, recorded in his voice, declared Bourguiba's removal due to old age and illness, citing the medical report and Article 57 of the Constitution and justifying his actions by claiming to preempt an imminent Islamist coup.

Bourguiba was placed under house arrest in his wing at Carthage Palace. Days later, he was transferred to his rural residence in Mornag, then to his hometown of Monastir, where he remained under house arrest until his death in 2000. Initially, the political forces welcomed or understood Bourguiba's removal, embracing promises of democracy. However, Ben Ali soon reneged on these promises, establishing a new authoritarian regime that lasted 23 years until his overthrow in the 2011 popular revolution.