During a meeting held on the afternoon of Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Carthage Palace, President Kais Saied examined with Mohamed Ali Nafti, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, the outcomes of Tunisia’s participation in the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. The summit took place on February 15–16 in Addis Ababa, as well as the results of bilateral talks that took place on its sidelines.
The President reaffirmed Tunisia’s pride in its African identity, stressing the need for the recommendations from this summit to be implemented. He said that “international summits and conferences are not an end in themselves but must be followed by concrete decisions that are swiftly put into action and implemented.”
Kais Saied furthermore pointed out that Africa and its people continue to suffer from wars and the looting of their wealth, despite the founding fathers’ vision when the Organization of African Unity was established—to make Africa belong to Africans. While the organization’s name has changed, many areas remain unchanged in reality.
Furthermore, the President addressed the issue of recovering looted Tunisian funds held abroad, which he described as the rightful property of the Tunisian people. He called for intensified diplomatic efforts and engagement to raise this issue on various international and regional platforms, particularly at the United Nations General Assembly. He argued that the legal proceedings pursued since 2011, along with other experiences, have proven their limitations. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of coordinating with other nations to recover these funds, rather than waiting indefinitely for empty pledges and unfulfilled commitments.
The President also stressed the necessity to enhance efforts to support Tunisians abroad, expedite services for them, and start preparing now to facilitate their return home for holidays and family visits.
Strengthening Economic Cooperation with African Nations
President Saied instructed officials to increase economic collaboration with various African countries. He stated that Tunisia has strong historical ties with many African nations, especially through educational cooperation, as Tunisian universities have welcomed African students since the 1960s. This, he said, provides an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with their home countries, in addition to other potential collaborations.
On another note, he highlighted the need to diversify international partnerships, particularly with Asian and South American countries. He emphasized that Tunisia’s independence in decision-making and national interest must remain the top priority, ensuring that the Tunisian flag is proudly raised worldwide.
President Saied also reaffirmed Tunisia’s unwavering stance in support of the Palestinian people in their struggle to fully reclaim their legitimate rights and establish an independent Palestinian state in all of Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital.
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