Summary:

On 4 October 2024, Prime Minister Kamel Maddouri represented Tunisia at the Francophone Summit in Paris during which he transferred the presidency of the Summit from Tunisia to France. 

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The head of government highlighted the success achieved by Tunisia during its presidency of the 2022 Francophone Summit in Djerba and the efforts made by Tunisia to promote interculturality, gender equality, as well as the development of partnership in the economic, technological, and scientific fields. 

Maddouri stressed the need to work on financing creative projects in the French-speaking world and the need to promote greater mobility of young people in francophone countries. 

Maddouri also called for the French-speaking community to play its role in finding solutions to crises occurring all over the world. 

Meanwhile, 52 members of the European Parliament sent a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressing their concerns about the political situation in Tunisia. They called on the Commission to formally encourage the country to respect democratic principles and the rule of law in the leadup to the presidential election that has drawn criticism from many international commentators. 

Outlook: 

Tunisia is exploiting its membership and leadership in intergovernmental organizations to emphasize its desire for economic cooperation between developed and developing countries.  

The Francophone Summit is a venue where Tunisia has historically sought to promote its diplomatic positions on various global issues while also seeking to attract economic aid. 

However, Tunisia’s position internationally is increasingly vulnerable as its internal political situation continues to garner criticism, especially from the Western world. For example, the 2021 Francophone Summit in Djerba was postponed due to allegations of political repression made by former President Moncef Marzouki and other members of the opposition.  

It will continue to be difficult for the Tunisian administration to advance its international platform if its dialogue remains centered on political repression and migrant rights.  

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