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Relations are strained between Tunisia and the United States, a country increasingly critical of President Kaïs Saïed, who has concentrated all powers since July 25, 2021.
With our correspondent in Tunis, Oumeina Nechi
Tunisian authorities have raised their voices. four days later the constitutional referendum which saw the “yes” win in favor of a new Constitution proposed by President Kaïs Saïed, the government summoned the American Chargé d’Affaires for the first time. Natasha Franceschi, who acts as the main official of the embassy, had to go on Friday July 29 to the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tunis.
This summons came a few hours after a meeting between the Head of State and Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi. The latter denounced unacceptable interference in internal national affairs and expressed ” Tunisian amazement “, after the statements of senior American officials on this controversial referendum.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and US Ambassador-designate to Tunisia Joey Hood had criticized the referendum process. The head of American diplomacy had called for ” an inclusive and transparent reform process “also including opponents of the new Constitution, while the designated ambassador had denounced ” an alarming erosion of democratic standards and fundamental freedoms ” in Tunisia.
► To read also: Referendum in Tunisia: “Most Tunisians are either indifferent or opposed to the project”
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