AGP Executive Report

Protests & Governance: Hundreds of Tunisians rallied in downtown Tunis calling for President Kais Saied to step down, linking the anger to extreme heat-driven power cuts, water shortages, medicine scarcity, rising prices, and tighter freedoms; the Nafas movement—built to unite parties and independents beyond Saied’s traditional opponents—helped mobilize the crowd, with rights groups also warning of repression and jailed critics. Migration & Human Rights: Tunisia reported at least 13 missing after a migrant boat capsized off the coast en route to Italy, with two survivors rescued; the case renews scrutiny of the EU-Tunisia migration deal amid allegations of abuses by security forces. Regional Diplomacy (Libya): UN-facilitated talks in Tunis advanced Libya’s electoral roadmap, including steps to form the High National Elections Commission and amend election laws, as UNSMIL said parties initialled a draft agreement and will meet again inside Libya. Detention & Solidarity: The Global Sumud Flotilla said a steering committee member in Tunisia, Wael Nawar, has started a hunger strike over preventive detention, alleging politically motivated charges tied to humanitarian solidarity with Palestine. Heat’s Wider Impact: Tunisia’s extreme temperatures also indirectly delayed delivery of new Dutch military combat clothing, with supply disruptions traced to power outages in Tunisia.

Protests & Governance: Hundreds of Tunisians rallied in central Tunis demanding President Kais Saied’s departure, linking the anger to “one-man rule,” medicine shortages, rising prices, and worsening rights conditions, with the new Nafas movement mobilising beyond traditional opposition. Utilities Crisis: The demonstrations come as extreme heat drives record electricity demand, triggers rationing and water-pumping disruptions, and deepens daily hardship across the country. Migration & Human Rights: A migrant boat sank off Tunisia toward Italy, leaving at least 13 missing and two rescued, amid renewed criticism that EU-backed border controls have normalized abuses. Libya Political Roadmap: In Tunis, UNSMIL’s mini-meeting advanced the UN roadmap’s first steps—setting up the High National Elections Commission and amending election laws—while the U.S. welcomed progress in talks among Libya’s rival factions. Regional Energy/Trade Context: Separate reporting highlights how global chokepoints and shipping disruptions are feeding into broader instability affecting food and energy security, with Tunisia caught in the wider strain.

Protests & Governance: Thousands of Tunisians rallied in Tunis calling for President Kais Saied’s ouster, linking the anger to “one-man rule,” medicine shortages, rising prices, and worsening rights restrictions, with the new Nafas movement mobilising beyond traditional opposition. Utilities Crisis: The demonstrations intensified as extreme heat drove record electricity demand, triggered STEG rationing, and disrupted water pumping—fueling “thirst” and “darkness” across regions. Migration & Rights: A migrant boat sank off Tunisia toward Italy, leaving at least 13 missing and two rescued; rights groups again warn EU-Tunisia migration cooperation normalises abuses. Libya Roadmap in Tunis: UN-facilitated talks in Tunis advanced Libya’s electoral process, including initialled drafts on the High National Elections Commission and election legal framework. Detention & Solidarity: The Global Sumud Flotilla said a steering member began a hunger strike over preventive detention in Tunisia, alongside other detained activists. EU Externalization Context: Separate reporting highlights Europe’s wider migration outsourcing practices, including cooperation tied to Libya’s armed actors.

Protests vs. Saied: Hundreds of Tunisians rallied in central Tunis, demanding President Kais Saied’s departure and the restoration of democracy, as anger grows over “one-man rule,” repression, medicine shortages, and rising living costs. Utilities crisis: The demonstrations were fueled by extreme heat driving record electricity demand, STEG rationing, and power cuts that disrupt water pumping—leaving many queuing for potable water amid “thirst” and “darkness.” New opposition push: The Nafas movement, launched in May to unite parties and independents beyond Saied’s traditional opponents, mobilized the crowd and called for the release of jailed politicians, journalists, and activists. Libya political track (regional spillover): In Tunis, UNSMIL said a mini-meeting advanced the UN roadmap’s first steps—forming the High National Elections Commission and amending election laws—while a UN-backed committee initialled a draft final agreement to move Libya toward elections. Detention and solidarity: The Global Sumud Flotilla said a steering committee member in Tunisia, Wael Nawar, has started a hunger strike over preventive detention, alongside three other “Four of Sumud” activists. Migration pressure (Tunisia as transit): Reuters reported at least 13 people missing after a migrant boat sank off Tunisia en route to Italy, with two survivors rescued.

Protests vs. Kais Saied: Hundreds of Tunisians rallied in downtown Tunis calling for President Kais Saied to step down, denouncing “one-man rule” and demanding reliable water and electricity, medicine availability, lower living costs, and the release of jailed opposition figures. The demonstrations were mobilized by the new Nafas movement, which aims to unite parties and independents beyond Saied’s traditional opponents, as extreme heat pushes STEG into rationing and power cuts disrupt water pumping. Rights and detention pressure: Ennahda said imprisoned leader Rached Ghannouchi was kept in “total isolation” during a hospital stay, alleging blocked family visits and legal access, while his movement frames his case as politically motivated. Migration and humanitarian fallout: A migrant boat sank off Tunisia with at least 13 missing and two rescued, as rights groups renew criticism of EU-backed border controls that they say normalize abuses. Libya political track (Tunis talks): UN-facilitated meetings in Tunis advanced Libya’s roadmap, with discussions on forming the High National Elections Commission and amending election laws, and a draft agreement initialed ahead of further talks in Libya. Regional detention spotlight: The Global Sumud Flotilla said Wael Nawar and three others remain in preventive detention in Tunisia, with Nawar starting a hunger strike over what it calls politically motivated charges.

Protests & Rights: Hundreds of Tunisians rallied in Tunis demanding President Kais Saied’s departure, denouncing “one-man rule” and calling for the release of jailed opposition figures as heat-driven power cuts and water shortages worsen daily life. Utilities Crisis: STEG rationing and disrupted water pumping have left many without electricity and drinking water, with medicine shortages and rising prices adding fuel to anger. Opposition Mobilisation: The Nafas movement—built to unite parties and independents beyond Tunisia’s traditional opposition—organized Thursday’s march, following a similar protest last month. Libya Roadmap: In Tunis, UNSMIL’s mini-meeting advanced the UN-facilitated Libya roadmap, including initialling drafts to form the High National Elections Commission and amend election laws. Migration & Human Rights: A migrant boat sank off Tunisia; at least 13 are missing and two were rescued, amid renewed criticism of EU-Tunisia migration cooperation over alleged abuses. Detention Alarm: The Global Sumud Flotilla says one of its leaders, Wael Nawar, has started a hunger strike over preventive detention in Tunisia, with three others still imprisoned.

Protests & Saied’s legitimacy: Hundreds of Tunisians rallied in central Tunis calling for President Kais Saied’s ouster and an end to “one-man rule,” linking the political crisis to a summer of extreme heat, rationed electricity, water shortages, medicine gaps, rising prices, and repression of jailed opposition figures. Opposition coordination: The demonstrations were mobilized by the newly launched Nafas movement, aiming to unite parties and independents beyond Saied’s traditional opponents, and to demand releases for imprisoned politicians, journalists, and activists. Utilities as political flashpoint: STEG rationing and power cuts have disrupted water pumping and left “thirst” and “darkness” as protest slogans, with shortages spilling into daily life and basic goods. Rights & detention pressure: Separate coverage highlights Ennahda’s claims that imprisoned leader Rached Ghannouchi was kept in “total isolation” during a hospital stay, while families of Global Sumud Flotilla activists demand release and drop charges over deteriorating detention conditions. Regional politics: In Libya, a UN-backed “4+4” committee meeting in Tunis initialed a draft final agreement to advance the electoral roadmap, including legal arrangements for presidential and parliamentary elections.

Street Protests vs Kais Saied: Hundreds of Tunisians marched in Tunis demanding President Kais Saied’s ouster, rejecting “one-man rule,” and calling for the release of jailed opposition figures, activists and journalists, as economic strain and public-service breakdowns deepen. Utilities Crisis: Protesters linked the anger to worsening power outages and severe drinking-water shortages, with rights groups warning of repression since Saied’s 2021 power grab. Opposition Pressure on Detention: Ennahda said imprisoned leader Rached Ghannouchi was kept in “total isolation” during a hospital stay, alleging blocked visits and legal access. Palestine Solidarity Under Scrutiny: Families of four Global Sumud Flotilla activists detained in Mornaguia Prison for months demanded their release and dropped charges, calling the case politically motivated. Regional Politics Watch: In Libya, the UN-backed “4+4” committee initialed a draft final agreement in Tunis to unblock the electoral roadmap and set up next steps toward elections.

Opposition Protest Call: AP reports a new opposition collective, the Nafas movement, plans a protest in Tunis this Thursday over extreme heat and worsening shortages of water and electricity, alongside medicine gaps, unemployment and rising living costs. Detention Alarm (Sumud Flotilla): Families of four Global Sumud Flotilla activists detained in Tunisia’s Mornaguia Prison for alleged “financial crimes” say conditions have deteriorated and demand release and dropping charges. Ennahda Rights Pressure: Ennahda says imprisoned leader Rached Ghannouchi was kept in “total isolation” during a three-week hospital stay, alleging blocked visits and legal access, and links his case to politically motivated charges. Tunisia Political Governance: A commentary piece argues Tunisia’s Parliament and government blame-shifting hides President Kais Saied’s control over the system, pointing to disputes over the 2026 Finance Draft Law and recruitment provisions. International Job Posting: TIMEP is accepting applications for a Senior Associate on European-MENA relations focused on Tunisia, tracking how European financing and policy shape economic and migration outcomes.

Ennahda and Ghannouchi: Tunisia’s Ennahda says jailed former parliament speaker Rached Ghannouchi was kept in “total isolation” during a three-week hospital stay, alleging blocked family visits and legal access, and citing a hunger/medication strike over his health as it renews calls for his release. Detention of Gaza flotilla activists: Families of four Tunisian activists linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla demand their release from Mornaguia Prison and the dropping of charges, saying conditions have harmed detainees and families for more than five months. Parliament–Presidency friction: A new report highlights an “unannounced rupture” between Parliament, the government and the presidency, pointing to how key decisions still run through President Kais Saied despite public blame-shifting. Finance law politics: Coverage of Parliament’s debate on the 2026 Finance Draft Law spotlights clashes over articles added by deputies, including recruitment-related provisions and interest-free financing for small projects. Women’s rights in detention: Ennahda marks National Women’s Day by calling for the release of women detained for political views, framing arrests as deepening Tunisia’s rights and humanitarian crisis. Regional pressure on migration: Tunisia-linked migration politics also echoes through reporting on the Ceuta crisis and Europe’s push to externalize returns, with legal and institutional tensions shaping outcomes.

Political Prisoners & Rights: Ennahda marked Tunisia’s National Women’s Day by calling for the release of women detained for political views, saying arrests and prosecutions are deepening the country’s political and humanitarian crisis. Detention of Gaza Flotilla Activists: Families of four Tunisian activists linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla renewed demands to release their sons from Mornaguia Prison and drop “baseless” charges, citing worsening physical and psychological conditions after more than five months. Institutional Tensions: A new analysis highlights an “unannounced rupture” between Parliament, government and the presidency, arguing that blame-shifting between deputies and ministries avoids confronting President Kais Saied’s control over the system. Finance Law & Recruitment: During Parliament’s debate on the 2026 Finance Draft Law, Finance Minister Michket Slama Khaldi criticized added recruitment provisions approved by deputies as “illegal,” including measures tied to Mechanism 16 and health-sector waitlisted recruitment. Regional Security Context: Separate reporting on the wider region underscores how conflict dynamics—from policing debates in Europe to Hormuz tensions—continue to shape political pressure and rights discourse across North Africa.

Tunisia’s Rights Pressure: Families of four Global Sumud Flotilla activists held in Mornaguia Prison for over five months are demanding their release and dropping of charges, saying detention conditions are harming detainees and families while Tunisia’s solidarity with Palestinians is invoked against any normalization with Israel. Ennahda on Women’s Day: Ennahda called for the release of women detained for political views, linking ongoing arrests and prosecutions to a widening political and humanitarian rights crisis and urging solidarity with detainees’ mothers, wives and daughters. Governance Under One-Man Rule: A new analysis argues that after Saied’s 2025 coup, Tunisia’s state failures now land squarely on the presidency—citing the lack of parliament and independent checks to shift blame—while pointing to this summer’s electricity strain and knock-on impacts on basic services. Regional Migration Shock (Ceuta): Coverage of the Ceuta migration crisis highlights how EU externalization, Spain’s legal limits on summary returns, and diplomatic tensions can combine into sudden surges—an issue Tunisia watches closely as Mediterranean pressure grows. Global Media & Influence: A report says Russia is building a worldwide cadre of trained journalists, including AI-focused training, to shape narratives on Ukraine and discredit the West—relevant to how Tunisian public debate can be targeted.

Energy Security & Africa: With Russia’s share of EU gas imports cut sharply since 2021, Europe is now leaning harder on alternatives—and Russia is reportedly targeting those options in Africa, where North African suppliers and Nigeria’s gas reserves sit at the center of winter planning. Rights & Detention in Tunisia: Ennahda marked Tunisia’s National Women’s Day by calling for the release of women detained for political views, warning that continued arrests and prosecutions are deepening the country’s political and humanitarian rights crisis. Tunisia’s Political System Under Strain: A new analysis argues that after Saied’s one-man rule reshaped institutions, Tunisia’s state failures—like STEG grid strain and rolling power outages—can no longer be blamed on parliament or rivals. Tunisia-Palestine Solidarity: Families of four Tunisian activists linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla demand release from Mornaguia Prison and say conditions have severely harmed detainees and their families. Regional Flashpoints: The week also tracks wider MENA tensions, from Hormuz brinkmanship to renewed scrutiny of policing and migration policies across Europe.

Political Prisoners & Rights: Families of four Global Sumud Flotilla activists held in Tunisia’s Mornaguia Prison for over five months are demanding their release and the dropping of charges, saying conditions have severely harmed detainees and families while Tunisia’s rhetoric rejects normalization with Israel. Women’s Political Detention: Ennahda marks Tunisia’s National Women’s Day by calling for the release of women detained for their political views, warning that ongoing arrests and prosecutions deepen the country’s political and humanitarian rights crisis. Governance & Accountability: A new critique argues Tunisia’s Parliament-Government-Presidency system is in “rupture,” with blame-shifting across institutions while President Kais Saied remains effectively insulated from scrutiny. State Capacity Under Strain: Another analysis points to the costs of Saied’s one-man rule, linking today’s service failures—like STEG grid strain and extended outages—to structural breakdown rather than isolated crises. Regional Context: Tunisia-Ukraine cooperation talks feature Mohamed Ali Nafti and Andrii Sybiha discussing strengthening ties, as regional geopolitics and energy pressures continue to shape North Africa’s agenda.

Tunisia Rights & Detention: Ennahda marked International Women’s Day by calling for the release of women jailed for their political views, saying continued arrests and prosecutions are deepening Tunisia’s political, humanitarian and rights crisis. Tunisia Governance & Accountability: A week-long debate around President Kais Saied’s one-man rule continues to frame Tunisia’s current state failures, with critics pointing to the lack of checks and balances after the 2025 constitutional overhaul and the knock-on effects for basic services like electricity and medical supplies. Regional Security: The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as U.S. President Trump escalates rhetoric about declaring it “U.S. territory,” while Iran and Washington continue their confrontation over passage control. Middle East Conflict Fallout: U.S. intelligence reportedly cannot verify Israeli warnings about an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump, adding uncertainty to the wider escalation narrative. North Africa Politics (Context): Morocco’s Islamist and socialist opposition parties are attacking the government over the Ceuta crossings crisis, demanding an independent investigation and pressing for Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch’s resignation. International Spotlight: Tunisia’s political detainees and women’s rights also sit alongside broader regional rights coverage, including Lebanon’s abolition of the death penalty.

Ennahda and political detainees: On Tunisia’s National Women’s Day, Ennahda called for the release of women held for their political views, saying continued arrests and prosecutions are worsening the country’s political, humanitarian and rights crisis. One-man rule and state failure: A new analysis revisits the costs of President Kais Saied’s 2021 coup, arguing Tunisia’s current electricity and gas grid strain—now linked to long outages and deaths tied to medical power cuts—shows how power concentrated in one office leaves no institutions to correct failures. Prison conditions for Ennahda’s Ghannouchi: Reports describe extreme heat inside Mornaguia prison, where Ennahda founder Rachid Ghannouchi passed out in his cell, underscoring the pressure on jailed opposition figures. Tunisia–Ukraine cooperation: Tunisia’s foreign minister Mohamed Ali Nafti spoke by phone with Ukraine’s Andrii Sybiha, focusing on trade and agriculture, higher education for Tunisian students, and strengthening the legal framework for deeper bilateral ties.