Calls in Congress to Suspend U.S. Aid to Tunisia… Senator Joe Wilson: “Kais Saied Is Pursuing a Dictatorial and Authoritarian Policy”
ALDAR/
U.S. criticism of Tunisia has intensified once again, as Republican Congressman Joe Wilson has called for the suspension of American aid to Tunisia, accusing President Kais Saied of adopting a “dictatorial and authoritarian” approach. His remarks did not stop there—he also warned about what he described as Algeria’s growing influence in the region, arguing that this expansion could impact U.S. interests.
Wilson’s statements come amid ongoing political tensions in Tunisia following the July 25, 2021, decisions that expanded President Saied’s powers. These developments have drawn criticism in Washington, particularly among members of Congress who view Tunisia’s recent political shifts as undermining democracy.
U.S. aid to Tunisia, which includes economic and military support, has long been a subject of political debate within American circles. On one hand, Washington sees it as a tool for promoting regional stability. On the other, some Republican lawmakers believe that continuing this aid without strict political conditions could amount to indirect support for what they describe as an “authoritarian regime.”
Notably, Wilson’s remarks also brought Algeria into the discussion, warning about its growing role in North Africa and its impact on geopolitical balances. Tunisia and Algeria share a complex relationship, particularly in light of recent events. Algeria has increased its political and economic support for Tunisia, raising concerns among some Western circles that view Algeria as an emerging dictatorship with anti-U.S. tendencies in the region.
In another development, Joe Wilson called on former U.S. President Donald Trump to take a firmer stance, reflecting a growing trend within the Republican Party toward a more hardline approach regarding Tunisia and Algeria.
If the U.S. administration yields to these pressures, suspending aid to Tunisia could have significant economic and security consequences. Tunisia is already facing a severe economic crisis and relies heavily on international support. Such a decision could push Tunisia to seek alternative partnerships with other global powers, such as China and Russia, potentially complicating the geopolitical landscape in the region.
Wilson’s latest remarks underscore the escalating tensions between Washington and Tunis, but they also reveal broader shifts in U.S. policy toward North Africa. As Tunisia waits to see how the Trump administration responds to these calls, questions remain about the future of U.S.-Tunisian relations and how they will be shaped by regional and global developments.
