In Tunisia, confusion and anxiety reign in associations. A draft law provides for greater control by the authorities over associations and Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed announced Thursday evening in the Council of Ministers that all foreign financing of Tunisian associations should be prohibited. After the political parties, civil society fears to be the president’s next target.
At Aswat Nissa, one of the largest feminist associations in Tunisia, concern reigns. Funded mainly by European organizations, the NGO fears disappearing if the presidential bill passes, explains Sarah Medini, the association’s political analyst: ” This reform will greatly hinder the programs of associations aimed at filling the void left by the ‘state in solving social problems ‘.
The organization issued a joint statement with many feminist associations to express their opposition to the president: We hope that he will not continue his escalation and that he will backtrack and that he will not issue a decree.
For political scientist Slaheddine Jourchi, the bill would seriously weaken civil associations, the pillar of democratization in Tunisia: If there is neither foreign aid nor state aid, then it will strangle, it will kill several important associations in the country. Civil society is the last bastion of democracy. The Head of State could be opposed to a strong mobilization of civil society and international pressure.
