First Independent Mena Newspaper
Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has suspended ties with the IMF after shunning the reforms it conditioned for a lifeline deal that could have made it easier for Tunisia to access foreign loans. The failure of the $1.9 billion offered by the IMF in exchange for reforms puts Tunisia in an uphill battle to access funding […]
Tunisia began a trial against 40 high-profile defendants on the charge of conspiring against state security. The trial involves former diplomats, politicians, and journalist amid protests at the President’s use of the judiciary to silence dissidents. Protests have erupted in Tunis calling the trial “fabricated” and denouncing the “authoritarian” rule of president Kais Saied. The […]
The Tunisian economy continues to reel under the impact of the President Kais Saied’s power grab. The country is expected to be the least performer in the southern Mediterranean region, compared to its peers, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said. While the region’s economic growth is expected to stand at 3.7% in […]
Tunisia has taken the decision to sever all communication with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), following claims from President Kais Saied that the IMF is overstepping its role and interfering in the country’s economic sovereignty. This move reflects rising tensions between the Tunisian Government and the global financial institution, which has been a key partner […]
A Tunisian judge has granted on February 20 the release of prominent journalist Mohamed Boughalleb, a known critic of President Kais Saied, according to his lawyer. This decision is seen as a hopeful sign by opposition groups, who believe it could pave the way for the release of other imprisoned figures from the opposition and […]
A Tunisian appeals court has ordered on Wednesday February 19 the release of prominent human rights activist Sihem Bensedrine, although she remains subject to a travel ban due to ongoing legal cases. Bensedrine, 74, was the head of the now-defunct Truth and Dignity Commission (IVD), which was responsible for investigating human rights abuses committed by […]
Abir Moussi, leader of Tunisia’s Free Destourian Party, has initiated on February 13 a hunger strike while imprisoned in Manouba, a suburb of Tunis, to protest against what she describes as ill-treatment by the authorities. The move came after Moussi, who has been incarcerated since October 2023, raised concerns about her health and safety. Her […]
The Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) has officially named on February 11 Sami Trabelsi as the new head coach of the national football team, the Carthage Eagles, replacing Faouzi Benzarti, whose contract was terminated last October. Trabelsi, a former Tunisian international with over 80 caps, will begin his second tenure as head coach after previously managing […]
The authoritarian regime of Kais Saied will be hit with severe U.S. sanctions for dismantling Tunisia’s democracy, jailing political opponents, and escalating crackdown against human rights activists. The announcement was made by U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson in a letter addressed to Tunisian MP Fatma Msebbi who had called on him to apologize for his harsh […]
Tunisia’s Ennahda moderate Islamist party denounced the additional 22-year sentence against its leader Rached Ghannouchi and former Prime Minister as a “political trial” and “a blatant assault on the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and a blatant politicization of its procedures and rulings.” Former speaker of the parliament Ghannouchi was sentenced on the charge […]