Tunisia‘s diplomatic stance is shifting as President Kais Saied embraces Algerian rhetoric regarding the Western Sahara issue,marking a important change in its foreign policy. In a recent meeting with Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti, Saied emphasized the need for a more vibrant Tunisian diplomacy, rooted in principles such as “the right of peoples to self-determination” and “non-interference in the internal affairs of states.” This alignment with Algeria‘s position, notably in relation to the Palestinian cause, suggests a departure from Tunisia’s historically balanced approach between Algeria and Morocco. Observers note that this shift may stem from Saied’s growing ties with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, amid financial support from Algeria during Tunisia’s economic crisis.
ie a trouvé chez l’algérie un soutien de pétrodollars qui a pu la dépanner pour un moment.
Mais Kais Saied n’imaginait pas qu’accepter cette aide était synonyme de concessions politiques de premier ordre qui menacent non seulement les constantes de la diplomatie tunisienne notamment dans l’affaire du Sahara, mais mettent en danger le très sensible équilibre maghrébin.
Kais Saied défie le Maroc sur une question de souveraineté
La manifestation de l’inimitié de la Tunisie envers le Maroc a pu être remarquée à plusieurs reprises jusqu’à cette défiance de taille et dangereuse opérée par le président Saied en réservant un accueil présidentiel à Brahim Ghali, le chef de la milice du polisario lors du Sommet Japon afrique (TICAD) organisé à Tunis en 2022.
Non seulement Kais Saied a déroulé le tapis rouge à Brahim Ghali mais la première erreur a été de l’inviter à cet événement contre les règles et en risquant un conflit diplomatique avec le japon. En effet, les invitations adressées aux chefs d’Etats africains devraient être approuvées par les deux pays organisateurs, or le Japon n’a pas été associé à l’invitation de Brahim Ghali qui, il faut le rappeler ne représente pas un pays mais une entité séparatiste non reconnue par les Nations Unies.
La présence de Brahim ghali en Tunisie pour la Conférence internationale de Tokyo sur le développement de l’Afrique (TICAD), a provoqué des remous aussi bien dans les relations entre le Japon et le Maroc qui auraient pu être entachées par l’aventurisme et l’amateurisme politique de Kais Saied car le japon ne reconnait pas la pseudo « rasd » du polisario.
Kais Saied qui aurait pu accueillir d’autres présidents africains lors de cette manifestation, a choisi d’inviter un intrus qui n’a aucune légitimité risquant les relations diplomatiques entre la Tunisie et le Maroc, seulement pour rendre la pareille à l’Algérie.
Et au lieu de se confondre en excuses ou trouver le moyen de calmer les esprits, la Tunisie a répondu au rappel de l’ambassadeur du Maroc, Hassan Tariq, par le rappel de son ambassadeur à son tour, soit le signe d’une défiance encore plus forte à l’égard du Maroc.
Ingérence de la Tunisie dans les affaires intérieures marocaines
Cette prise de position de la Tunisie dans l’affaire du Sahara, est une ingérence claire dans les affaires intérieures du Royaume, mais aussi et surtout dans une question de souveraineté. Pourtant, le communiqué de la présidence tunisienne qui fixe les nouvelles orientations de la diplomatie tunisienne ainsi que ses constantes souligne le point de la « non ingérence dans les affaires intérieures des États ».
La Tunisie de Kais Saied a oublié pour quelques pétrodollars la profondeur des liens fraternels avec le Maroc et les a même négligés, malmenés jusqu’à provoquer une crise diplomatTensions are escalating between Tunisia and Morocco as Tunisian President Kais Saied openly supports a dissident group that challenges morocco’s sovereignty, raising concerns among political observers and citizens alike. This shift in Tunisia’s foreign policy, marked by its participation in a Maghreb meeting excluding Morocco—initiated by Algeria—signals a significant departure from its traditional role as a mediator in regional conflicts. Analysts warn that Tunisia’s alignment with Algeria on the Western Sahara issue could destabilize the region, undermining its historical position of balance and possibly leading to costly diplomatic repercussions. As the situation develops, the implications for both nations and the broader Maghreb region remain critical.
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone.Today, we’re diving into tunisia’s evolving diplomatic stance under President Kais Saied, particularly regarding the Western Sahara issue and its implications for Tunisia’s foreign policy. We have with us an expert in North African politics,Dr. Layla Benani. Dr. benani, what do you make of Saied’s recent alignment with Algeria’s stance on Western Sahara?
Dr. Layla Benani: Thank you for having me. president Kais saied’s shift towards embracing Algerian rhetoric is indeed a significant change. Historically, Tunisia has maintained a more neutral stance, balancing its relationships with both Algeria and Morocco. This realignment indicates a deeper political and financial connection with Algeria, especially as Tunisia faces economic difficulties.
editor: Absolutely. Saied’s meeting with Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti, where he emphasized principles like “self-determination” and “non-interference,” suggests a pivot from Tunisia’s previous careful diplomacy. How do you see these principles affecting Tunisia’s relations with Morocco?
Dr. Benani: This shift can strain Tunisia’s relationship with Morocco. Embracing Algeria’s position on the Western Sahara means tunisia is openly supporting the Polisario Front, which morocco views as a challenge to its territorial integrity. As you note,this departure from neutrality might be a political gamble by Saied,hoping that Algeria’s financial support can stabilize Tunisia’s economy in the short term.
Editor: Indeed, the economic context is crucial. With Algeria providing much-needed financial assistance during a time of crisis, do you think this support comes with longer-term political costs for Tunisia?
Dr. Benani: Yes, the financial support from Algeria—often referred to as a lifeline—coudl indeed come with strings attached. By accepting this help, Saied may be unwittingly making significant political concessions, which could lead to a reconfiguration of Tunisia’s diplomatic identity. This raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of such alignments. If the economic situation does not improve, Tunisia might find itself increasingly reliant on Algeria, potentially compromising its sovereignty and diplomatic versatility.
Editor: That’s a critical perspective. And when we consider the broader regional dynamics,how might this shift influence Tunisia’s position in North Africa,particularly concerning the Palestinian cause which Saied has also aligned with Algeria on?
Dr. Benani: Aligning with Algeria on the Palestinian issue can create a more united front among certain maghreb countries, reinforcing a shared narrative of solidarity in the face of perceived external pressures.However, it could also lead to Tunisia being viewed as less of a neutral arbiter in North African politics.This could further complicate its relationships with other regional powers and potentially alienate parts of its populace that may not fully support such a hardline stance.
Editor: It truly seems that while Saied’s approach may strengthen ties with Algeria, it risks isolating Tunisia from its traditional diplomatic roles. In closing, do you think there’s potential for Tunisia to navigate these changes effectively, or are the risks too high?
Dr. Benani: It’s a challenging path ahead. if Tunisia can leverage its relationships wisely and ensure that it remains resilient amid these shifts, there is potential for a more vibrant and impactful role in the region. Though, the risk of alienating morocco and the implications of deeper ties to Algeria could come with significant costs. It will be engaging to see how this plays out moving forward.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Benani, for your insights on this complex interplay of diplomacy in North Africa. It’s clear that Tunisia’s path under President Saied will significantly shape regional dynamics in the coming years.