Former MP Majdi Karbai announced on June 2, 2026, via Facebook, that the Italian Parliament has approved a new mission for the Guardia di Finanza in Tunisia. This mission aims to enhance cooperation with the Tunisian National Maritime Guard. According to Italian parliamentary documents cited by Karbai, the initiative involves technical assistance, training, and logistical support for Tunisian units responsible for maritime surveillance and border management. The deployment could include up to 22 Italian Guardia di Finanza agents and material and technical resources in Tunis and Sfax. The total cost is estimated at 8.83 million euros, funded by the Italian state budget. Karbai stated that this mission extends existing migratory cooperation between the two countries, building on an exchange of verbal notes in December 2025 and a 2017 memorandum of understanding on migration. He highlighted that while Italian institutions have publicized details of this mission, no official detailed communication has been made in Tunisia. Karbai noted that Tunisian citizens are learning about this mission through documents published in Rome, raising questions about transparency in security cooperation agreements with European partners. He compared Italian and Tunisian procedures, pointing out that Italian external missions undergo parliamentary review and official publication, allowing public access to information on their funding and objectives. Karbai suggested this situation reignites debate
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The Union of Small and Medium Industries UPMI has raised concerns about the severe impact of repeated power outages on economic activity in Tunisia. In a statement released on Friday, July 17, 2026, the organization highlighted that these disruptions are increasingly affecting industrial units, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, which are crucial to the Tunisian economy. The UPMI noted that power cuts lead to production line stoppages, idle equipment, and lost work hours, incurring significant costs for businesses. Indirect costs include the deterioration of raw materials and semi-finished products, as well as increased expenses for restarting machinery. Delays in order fulfillment and missed delivery deadlines are also major worries, especially for export-oriented companies, potentially eroding customer trust and weakening competitiveness in international markets. These alerts come amid an exceptional heatwave in Tunisia, causing a surge in electricity consumption due to widespread air conditioner use, straining the production capacity of the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company Steg. Steg has implemented load shedding to balance the grid and prevent major supply incidents or blackouts. The UPMI, while acknowledging Steg's efforts, called for better anticipation and communication regarding these emergency measures. The organization emphasized the need for a clear schedule of power cuts, specifying times and affected areas, to allow businesses to plan and mitiga
Tunisian engineer Chouaib Nemri issued a poignant appeal on Thursday, July 16, 2026, highlighting the human consequences of recurrent electricity cuts in Tunisia. Nemri, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and relies on a ventilator, an electric wheelchair, and a patient lift, stated that electricity is essential for his survival and autonomy. He emphasized that power outages pose an existential danger for him and thousands of other Tunisians dependent on electrical medical equipment. Nemri also expressed solidarity with professionals like bakers, mechanics, traders, and remote workers whose livelihoods are severely impacted by these disruptions, leading to significant economic losses. He advocated for a robust electrical grid that ensures continuous access to electricity, respecting lives and preserving dignity. Nemri, an internationally recognized artificial intelligence engineer who collaborates with Google, aims to bring attention to the critical human impact of power outages, which can turn a simple failure into a life-threatening emergency for those using medical devices such as respirators, oxygen concentrators, or home dialysis equipment.
Following recent power outages in Tunisia, Member of Parliament Fatma Mseddi has strongly criticized the government, stating that the repeated interruptions in electricity supply demonstrate the state's inability to provide an essential public service. In a Facebook post on Thursday, July 16, 2026, Mseddi argued that these outages are not merely simple power cuts but a hardship for citizens and a sign of state institutions failing in their basic duties. She highlighted that load shedding impacts hospitals, businesses, and citizens' equipment. Mseddi accused the government of failing to manage strategic national issues and making poor choices in appointments. She called on President Kaïs Saïed to speak publicly, demanding a clear and transparent address from the President about the situation, concrete solutions, and a timeline for accountability and necessary reforms. Mseddi's appeal comes after President Saïed's last public appearance on July 9, leading to speculation about his health, which the presidency has not officially addressed. Tunisia is currently experiencing an exceptional heatwave with temperatures reaching 49°C, causing high demand on the electricity grid. The Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company Steg explained that the cuts are due to load shedding to maintain grid balance and prevent a system collapse.