The EU offers aid to an increasingly autocratic Tunisian government to stem migration
The European Union is offering hundreds of millions of dollars to the Tunisian government. Now, it's meant to help the country's failing economy. In exchange, though, Tunisia has to help stem illegal migration to Europe.
NPR | July 18, 2023
EU leaders accused of ‘wining and dining’ Tunisian president Kais Saied in exchange for preventing migration to Europe.
Irish Times | June 18, 2023
Opposition worried what President Kais Saied’s next step will be with a number of opposition figures in prison.
Al Jazeera | April 21, 2023
How Tunisia’s defence ties with US endure despite aid cuts
President Kais Saied and Washington both court Tunisia's military as country's democracy and economy unravel.
Middle East Eye | April 19, 2023
Tunisia arrests opposition leader as crackdown escalates
Tunisian security forces arrested the leader of the main opposition party Monday night and shuttered its headquarters, escalating a crackdown on the president’s critics in this formerly authoritarian North African country, which is veering again toward one-man rule.
The Washington Post | April 18, 2023
Tunisia Arrests Rachid al-Ghannouchi, Leading Opposition Figure
Tunisian authorities have arrested a prominent opposition leader and three other officials from his party in an escalation of President Kais Saied’s campaign against political opponents, which began after he seized full power over the North African nation nearly two years ago.
The New York Times | April 18, 2023
Tunisian president’s mystery ‘disappearance’ raises questions about his health
Tunisian President Kais Saied’s almost two-week absence has raised questions about his health and succession in a country that has become increasingly authoritarian since he took power.
CNN | April 05, 2023
Anti-Black racism surfaces in an African country. Critics are blaming the president for it
A viral video from late February showed a man decrying the incompatibility of Black African “values” with those of Tunisians. Asked by the interviewer if he had ever met any Africans, he retorted implying he knows them well “because my grandfather used to buy and sell them.”
CNN | March 15, 2023
Voter turnout for parliamentary elections in Tunisia this weekend was so low it broke world records. Tunisians are dispirited and a wannabe-authoritarian leads the country. What now for the endangered democracy?
Deutsche Welle | January 31, 2023
The president has tried to look abroad to get the country out of its economic crisis, without much success, as his political problems mount.
Al Jazeera | January 13, 2023
A feeble turnout in Tunisia’s inconclusive parliamentary elections over the weekend drew opposition calls for the country’s strongman president to step down.
The New York Times | December 20, 2022
Tunisia civil society groups raise questions over referendum data
Amid complaints over data management, election authority maintains the results of constitutional referendum are valid.
Al Jazeera | August 05, 2022
The last time Tunisia plunged into political crisis — its infant democracy unraveling amid political deadlock, assassinations and mass unrest — it fell to the country’s traditional guardians to find a way forward.
The New York Times | May 07, 2022
President Saied said he would replace most of commission's members in a move that will cast doubt on electoral integrity.
Middle East Eye | April 22, 2022
Old school politicking and backroom deals helped bring parliamentarians together to vote down Kais Saied's exceptional measures.
The National | April 14, 2022
The bilateral relationship has faced serious issues in recent years, but could the conflict in Ukraine lead to a potential strengthening of Ankara and Washington's alliance?
The New Arab | March 09, 2022
Teachers, nurses and police officers are being put in the red by late salary payments as the country’s finances crumble.
The National | February 22, 2022
This week on Babel, Jon speaks with Dr. Monica Marks, a professor of Middle East politics at NYU Abu Dhabi who has been thinking about Tunisia for almost 15 years.
Rajawali Siber | September 21, 2021
Over the past two months, Tunisian President Kais Saied has enjoyed broad popular support to reach ever higher heights of power, culminating in a recent announcement that he would essentially rule the country by decree.
The Singapore Time | September 27, 2021
As Tunisia’s President Cements One-Man Rule, Opposition Grows
For the past two months, President Kais Saied of Tunisia has ridden widespread popular support to ever-higher peaks of power, culminating in a recent announcement that he would essentially rule the country by decree.
DNYUZ | September 27, 2021
Politicians and experts have expressed concern about the situation in Tunisia a day after President Kais Saied said that he would be indefinitely extending his sole control of the government.
The National | August 25, 2021
