In Focus | Tunisia
Youssef Chahed set to clear obstacles for Saied in the United States

Tunisia
USAID: Development programmes interrupted by Donald Trump

The cessation of the US development agency's activities in the country signals the end for many support programs for the Tunisian government and businesses.

Tunisia
US banks eye Tunisian market

Jean-Michel Saliba, Middle East-North Africa director at Bank of America's investment division, BofA Securities (formerly Bank of America Merrill Lynch), led a delegation of US financiers this month to Tunis.

North Africa
Union for the Mediterranean members jostle for top post

Egyptian diplomat Nasser Kamel's term as secretary-general of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), which he has led since 2018, ends next year. Behind the scenes, negotiations are already underway between member states to appoint his successor.

Tunisia
Radès port upgrade to finally go ahead?

The project to extend the port of Radès, with the construction of quays 8 and 9, may finally see the light of day following the parliamentary elections on 17 December.

Tunisia
UGTT union unable to unite over Kais Saied's referendum

The numerous political factions within the main Tunisian worker's union, UGTT, are making it hard to give its members any sort of instruction on how to vote on the constitutional referendum scheduled on 25 July.

The New Guard
South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Tunisia

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence reveals the next generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

South Africa Geordin Hill-Lewis, mayor and rising opposition social-media star

Nigeria Dozy Mmobuosi, leading tech titan

Zimbabwe Simbarashe Gwenzi, youth ambassador from Harare to Addis

Tunisia Sayida Ounissi, former Ennahda MP and thorn in Saied's side

Tunisia
AeroVironment drones are only fruit of vanishing cooperation with Pentagon

With the delivery of eight RQ-20 Pumas bought with US funds, the Tunisian army now hopes to order other small observation drones. But the renewal of its combat fleet and training aircraft is at a standstill and hinges on Tunis improving its links with the Biden administration.

Tunisia
IDB throws its weight behind Tunis's African exports drive

Tunisia is being shunned by most major international lenders, but it can still rely on the Islamic Development Bank, which continues to back projects in the country. The institution, whose largest single contributor is Saudi Arabia, intends to push trade development with the rest of the continent.

Tunisia
European Parliament may harden stance towards Kais Saied

The European Parliament's delegation for relations with North Africa and its human rights subcommittee will convene in late January to discuss the case of Tunisia, and MEPs may subsequently adopt a resolution denouncing the constitutional abuses perpetrated by Kais Saied.

Tunisia
Ennahda lobbyist strengthens anti-Saïed front in Washington

Through his think-tank, the Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy (CSID), Radwan Masmoudi organised a conference on 21 December on the theme of democracy in Tunisia, with references to the "coup" of Saïed.

Tunisia
Washington to supply AeroVironment drones to Tunisia

US drone manufacturer AeroVironment is going to supply a new batch of eight tactical observation drones to the Tunisian army, with the Pentagon's blessing.

Tunisia
Why Kais Saied skipped the Riyadh summit

Having failed to obtain a separate meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman (MbS), as well as with the Emirati delegation, Kaïs Saïed sent a representative to the Middle East Green Initiative Summit in Riyadh on 25 October.

Tunisia
Washington maintains aid programs and security cooperation with Kais Saied

Although the Biden administration called on the Tunisian president to rapidly restore the country's democratic institutions in mid-August, it has continued to cooperate with Tunis on several fronts, not least via its MCC and USAID development agencies.

Libya
Esam Omeish on pro-GNA mission at Capitol

Washington-based Islamist lobbyist (MC 1192) Esam Omeish is activating his [...]

Tunisia
Youssef Chahed asked to double for Kaïs Saïed in Berlin, Paris and Algiers

Kaïs Saïed, who has been invited to take part in [...]

Tunisia
Malouche to firm up U

Son of Naceur Malouche, a leading figure in the Tunisian [...]