Tunisia - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Tunisia cover image

Tunisia

January 2, 2026

Tunis 4:33 am

9°C

Residents of the city of Gabes carry placards during a demonstration on Oct. 15, 2025, to demand the closure of chemical factories.

Over 200 hospitalized in Tunisia’s Gabes as anger over pollution crisis grows

President Kais Saied is facing one of his biggest challenges yet as demands for the closure of the city’s phosphate processing plant increase.

Meloni Saied

Italy’s Meloni discusses immigration, economic ties on Tunisia visit: What to know

The two countries have strengthened their ties in the past years, signing several agreements on economic, trade and energy cooperation.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 29: U.S. President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn of the White House followed by granddaughter Chloe after returning on Marine One on July 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump returned to the White House with his family after a trip to Scotland that was part vacation, part work, as he stayed at his Trump Turnberry golf course, followed by Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, from July 25 to 29. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Analysis

Middle East braces for Trump's tariffs: Gulf gains, North Africa strains as both hedge

The tariffs could be wins for the Gulf states, as many have trade surpluses with the United States, while some in North Africa and the Levant, with trade deficits, stand to lose.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Trump tariffs, BRICS threats unlikely to erode Middle East’s trade war edge

The US decision to delay tariff penalties until Aug. 1 doesn't dramatically impact the Middle East, but the coming weeks could still have important ripple effects in the region.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

From Iraq to Algeria, Trump’s looming tariffs could target 4 MENA countries

US President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025, in Washington.

Iran sends senior delegation to Algeria, Tunisia as relations warm

Algerian People's National Council

Analysis

As Saied begins new term as president, Tunisians brace for unstable governance

Tunisia's president, Kais Saied, attends his swearing-in ceremony before the National Assembly in Tunis on Oct. 21, 2024.

Francisco Serrano

By Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Analysis

Tunisia risks missing e-commerce boom as Jumia exits, startup investment lags

Inside a warehouse used by Jumia.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia stretches to make a forehand against Aryna Sabalenka in the Women's Singles Semi Finals on day eleven of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Culture

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur falls short at Wimbledon final, loses to Vondrousova

Jabeur, who has a massive following across North Africa and the Middle East, is still seeking her first Grand Slam win after falling short at Wimebledon for the second year in a row.

Noor Ouarzazate III

Analysis

Tunisia-Italy cable project part of effort to connect energy grids with Europe: World Bank

Other North African countries are also interested in connecting grids with Europe.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

A Moroccan farmer walks past solar panels that are connected to a generator which feeds a pump extracting water from underground in Tafoughalt, a little village deep in the mountains of Morocco's eastern Berkane province, on October 31, 2016. As the Cop22 gets underway in Marrakesh, negotiators are thrashing out the details of a landmark global agreement designed to stave off disastrous climate change, but in Tafoughalt that impact is being felt already. Rising temperatures are among the factors making the

How North Africa’s renewable energy regulations can boost FDI

Foreign investors and institutions are showing serious interest in North Africa’s renewable energy industry, but regulations remain key.

People are seen picking out sheep at a livestock market, in Tunis' Ariana region, ahead of the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha, amid an increase in livestock prices, June 21, 2023.

Eid's price tag: Tunisia’s inflation leaves sheep out of reach for many Muslims

With soaring prices, Tunisian families are struggling to afford the cherished tradition of buying a sheep for the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Kais Saeid, Ursula von der Leyen

Analysis

European aid, pressure on Tunisia’s IMF deal unlikely to allay migration concerns

European leaders visited the North African country over the weekend, hoping to work with Kais Saied's populist government to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund while reducing migration in the Mediterranean.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Tunisian President Kais Saied meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

US lawmakers urge aid for Tunisia's civil society as crackdown intensifies

The Biden administration’s proposal to slash economic assistance while largely sustaining military aid to Tunisia has drawn concern in Congress.

Women gather oustide a house at the Hara Kebira, the main Jewish quarter in the resort island of Djerba, after attending a ceremony at the Ghriba synagogue following a shooting spree by a police officer on the southern Tunisian island on May 10, 2023. Tunisian authorities were investigating the shootings that claimed five lives and sparked mass panic during a Jewish pilgrimage at Africa's oldest synagogue today. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP) (Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images)

Tunisia: Attack on Djerba synagogue was premeditated by national guard member

Tunisia’s interior minister identified the assailant and revealed details of the attack at an ancient synagogue on the island of Djerba that killed at least five people.

The head of Tunisia's Islamist movement Ennahdha Rached Ghannouchi greets supporters upon arrival to a police station in Tunis on Feb. 21, 2023, in compliance to the summons of an investigating judge.

US warns of 'troubling escalation' in Tunisia after Ghannouchi arrest

The State Department expressed alarm over the stifling of political activity under Tunisia's increasingly authoritarian president, Kais Saied.

A Tunisian shepherd herds his sheep near the dry reservoir bed of El-Haouareb dam, located near Kairouan, some 100 miles south of Tunis, Tunisia, July 13, 2017.

Tunisia faces water cuts amid severe drought, public frustration

The drought-hit North African country is imposing water rationing at night for the first time in its fourth dry year, which may increase social tension as Tunisians struggle with high inflation and a weak economy.

Tunisian President Kais Saied meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the U.S. - Africa Leaders Summit on December 14, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Summit brings together heads of state, government officials, business leaders, and civil society to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Africa. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Timeline: Kais Saied's crackdown in Tunisia, from suspending parliament to arresting Ghannouchi

Tunisian President Kais Saied has been steadily consolidating power since 2021 when he dismissed parliament in a move widely described as a coup. He is now cracking down further on his Islamist political opponents.

Vacher

Analysis

Ball now in Tunisia's court regarding $1.9bn IMF bailout

Officials from the IMF, the World Bank and Italy have all commented on the proposed bailout package this week as a Tunisian delegation joins the spring meeting of the multilateral institutions in Washington.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Analysis

Experts pour cold water on Tunisia BRICS ‘bid,’ as country rejects IMF

Experts say economic reforms and stronger anti-Western credentials are needed before the North African country could be seriously considered to join the five-member bloc.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech