President Kaïs Saïed had, on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, an audience with the American Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in Washington, on the occasion of his participation in the United States-Africa Summit which is being held from December 13 to 15. at the Convention Center.
The US Secretary of State reiterated the “deep commitment” of the United States to Tunisia to establish democracy and meet the Tunisian people’s aspirations for a prosperous future.
He also underlined the “strong support” provided by the United States for the revival of the Tunisian economy, especially in this difficult international situation marked by the global economic crisis due to the war in Ukraine.
He recalled, during this meeting, the historical nature of US-Tunisian relations which date back more than two centuries, adding that these are called upon to be further strengthened in a climate of respect for the commitments made for the consecration of human rights. people and democratic values shared by the two countries.
He also welcomed the holding of the legislative elections scheduled in Tunisia for December 17, 2022, expressing the wish to see them lead to a free, democratic, and impartial electoral process.
Antony Blinken reaffirmed the will of the United States to establish “a strong partnership” with Tunisia. An economic program is also proposed with Tunisia. “We will make sure to work together in interaction, and we want all voices in Tunisia to be represented”.
For his part, the Tunisian Head of State welcomed the support given to Tunisia, either directly or through the World Bank and USAID.
In his speech, he recalled the nature of the relations between the United States and Tunisia which are well-anchored in history.
Kaïs Saïed took this opportunity to explain the causes that led “to the movement of July 25, 2021” and to the economic, social, and health crisis. “A crisis which was marked by the nonchalance and indifference of the government and the Parliament in place”, he said.
“The judiciary has not been spared by this crisis, and even more so it has been affected by corruption and political interference, which has undermined the citizen’s confidence in the judicial system”, added the head of the State in front of Blinken.
“This crisis, he explained, could last and lead to the collapse of the state and the outbreak of a civil war, hence the need to freeze the activities of Parliament and dismiss the government to restore the country back on track”.
According to him, “this decision was a popular demand chanted by the citizens every time I went to meet them. I did not want to dissolve Parliament, because I wanted to respect the 2014 Constitution, which did not allow me to do so. But I had no other alternative to save the nation than by resorting to Article 80 of the Constitution,” he concluded.
