U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson Calls for Sanctions on Tunisia, Sparking Diplomatic Tensions
Wilson accuses President Kais Saied of turning Tunisia into a police state, urging Washington to halt aid, while Tunisian politicians reject his remarks as foreign interference.
Watan-U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson has sparked widespread controversy in Tunisia after calling for sanctions against President Kais Saied’s regime and the suspension of U.S. aid to the country. Wilson, known for his opposition to Saied’s government, accused the Tunisian president of transforming Tunisia from an emerging democracy into a “repressive police state,” claiming that the Tunisian regime suppresses opposition and arrests political rivals.
In a series of tweets, the congressman urged the U.S. administration to take strict measures against Tunisia, including halting economic and military aid, citing what he described as human rights violations and increasing restrictions on freedoms.
He also shared a controversial report alleging that the Tunisian government is involved in “human trafficking,” accusing security forces of facilitating the smuggling of African migrants across borders.
Wilson’s remarks did not stop there; he also condemned court rulings against prominent political figures, such as former parliament speaker Rached Ghannouchi, considering them evidence of the “systematic repression” carried out by Saied against his opponents. He further suggested that President Saied is aligning more closely with China and Iran, raising concerns in Washington about Tunisia’s geopolitical orientation.
These statements have sparked widespread outrage in Tunisia, with many politicians and media figures rejecting them as blatant interference in Tunisia’s internal affairs. Tunisian MP Fatma Mseddi criticized Wilson’s comments, demanding that he apologize and refrain from making threats against President Saied or Tunisian state institutions.
On the other hand, analysts believe that the U.S. attack on Tunisia could be a political message aimed at pressuring Saied to change his policies or reconsider his stance on regional issues. Wilson’s remarks also come at a sensitive time, as the United States prepares for the presidential elections, and they may be part of a broader strategy within the Trump administration to pressure regimes that are perceived as drifting away from U.S. influence.
As tensions between Tunisia and Washington escalate, the key question remains: Are Joe Wilson’s remarks merely a personal stance, or do they signal broader U.S. moves against Tunisia?
