Many Tunisians reacted to Latifa Arfaoui’s song “Long Live the People” and considered it a moral and artistic stance on the part of the artist who still sings for Tunisia on all occasions. People interacted on social media with the song in which Latifa expressed her support for the Tunisian people, while accounts belonging to the Ennahdha Movement and its supporters used the song to attack the artist and the actions of President Kais Saied. This prompted Tunisian TV to end the controversy by removing the song from its website.
Those who see Kais Saied’s actions as a “coup” attack Latifa Arfaoui for singing “Long Live the People.” Opinions varied between those who considered it an expressive and beautiful song at the level of melody and text, and those who criticized it, saying that it does not serve the actions of President Kais Saied, especially after the accusations against it of political propaganda, although it does not talk about it in any direct way.
After the ongoing controversy surrounding it, Tunisian TV deleted the song’s video clip from its website as the song came after Tunisian President Kais Saied announced on July 25, 2021 the dismissal of the head of government, while he assumed the executive authority with the help of a government that he would appoint its head by himself, froze the power of Parliament for 30 days, removed the immunity of its deputies, and presided over the Public Prosecution.
Here is a glimpse of the controversial song’s lyrics:
“Long live the people./Down with all the enemy of the people./Raise your head high./The blood of your martyr is precious./ We will redeem it with my soul and money./ We will not let brokers sell/ your land abroad, O people./ Green Tunisia is my free country./ And whoever doesn’t like this, get out !” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OfVZL2XqZI
