U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday that Tunisia’s “dream of self-government” was in danger, adding to U.S. criticism of the president’s expansion of powers that has already prompted accusations of “unacceptable interference”.
After the referendum, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and incoming U.S. ambassador to Tunis Joey Hood voiced concern for Tunisia’s democracy, and Tunisian authorities summoned the acting U.S. charge d’affaires to complain.
Speaking on Tuesday at a U.S. Africa Command ceremony, Austin repeated the criticism.
“Across Africa, those who support democracy and freedom and the rule of law are battling the forces of autocracy, chaos and corruption,” he said.
“We can feel those headwinds in Tunisia, where people inspired the world with their demands for democracy”, he added.
“The United States stands committed to supporting our friends in Tunisia – and anywhere in Africa – who are trying to forge open, accountable and inclusive democracies,” Austin said.
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