Tunisian authorities have elevated the security alert in the country amidst increasing European pressure concerning issues of irregular migration, smuggling, organized crime, drugs, terrorism, and human rights violations across African and Maghreb nations.
These matters were at the forefront of statements made by Tunisian President Kais Saied and Interior Minister Kamel El Fekih during the fourth Tunisian-Italian summit within a year. The summit coincided with high-level security meetings between delegations from both countries.
President Saied announced the invocation of “enhanced security alert” internally and externally during a meeting of the National Security Council, attended by top military and civilian leaders, on the eve of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Tunisia, accompanied by her Interior Minister.
The meeting also addressed issues of “conspiracy against national security,” both domestically and internationally, which have been under scrutiny by the counter-terrorism apparatus and various Tunisian security institutions and courts. Notably, individuals from the financial and business sectors, as well as prominent former state officials and political party figures, were implicated in these investigations.
These discussions coincided with security and military meetings held over the past two days in Tunisia between Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and his Tunisian counterpart Kamel El Fekih, as well as between Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar and NATO’s Military Committee Chairman, Admiral Bob Bauer, who was on a regional tour.
President Saied reiterated these security challenges during a major political and security rally on Thursday at the Carthage Presidential Palace, commemorating the founding of the National Security Forces following the country’s independence from France.
