🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Sidi Bou Saïd's UNESCO World Heritage bid to be voted on July 24-26, 2026
via Business News2 min read
Sidi Bou Saïd's application for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List will be reviewed during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Busan, South Korea, from July 20 to 29, 2026. The Tunisian dossier, titled "Sidi Bou Saïd: a center of cultural and spiritual inspiration in the Mediterranean," is among thirty new applications that will be submitted for a vote by the 21 member states of the World Heritage Committee between July 24 and 26, according to information published on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, by UNESCO. This initiative aims to achieve autonomous recognition for the village of Sidi Bou Saïd on the World Heritage List, distinct from the archaeological site of Carthage, which has been listed since 1979, despite the close historical ties between the two sites. The application dossier is based on UNESCO's criteria relating to traditional human settlements and living cultural heritage presenting outstanding universal value. It is currently undergoing evaluation by experts from the International Council on Monuments and Sites Icomos, who are tasked with examining the site's state of conservation and the effectiveness of its management plan in addressing challenges related to tourist pressure, environmental factors, and risks of soil instability. The Busan session will also examine several other international applications, including the 1944 D-Day landing beaches and the Carcassonne fortifications network in France, sites related to t
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
Must ReadA Facebook post claiming Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed called for the immediate protection, employment, and permanent residency for undocumented African migrants has been widely shared and debated. However, an investigation into the claim found no official statements from the Presidency, Kaïs Saïed, or any recent government decisions confirming such a measure. No Tunisian institutional source has announced the automatic granting of permanent residency cards to sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia. The phrasing of the post is misleading, presenting unconfirmed information as an official decision. Official communications from the presidency, government, or relevant ministries do not contain any announcement corresponding to the shared visual's content. The granting of a permanent residence permit would require a precise legal framework, clearly defined administrative procedures, and official communication from competent authorities, none of which are present in the viral publication. The visual itself lacks reliability indicators, citing no official sources or documents to verify the information. Therefore, there is no evidence to support the claim that Kaïs Saïed requested the immediate protection, professional integration, or permanent residency for undocumented sub-Saharan migrants as asserted in the viral post.
The specialized criminal chamber for terrorist crimes at the Tunis Court of Appeal issued its verdict on June 9, 2026, in the case of the escape of five terrorist detainees from Mornaguia Civil Prison. The court upheld the initial judgment, confirming the convictions and 38-year prison sentences for each of the five main defendants: Ahmed Melki, also known as "Somali," Ameur Balaâzi, Raed Touati, Alaa Ghazouani, and Nader Ghanmi. These individuals were involved in the October 31, 2023, escape of five dangerous detainees from Mornaguia prison. Four of them were apprehended on November 7, 2023, in the mountainous area of Boukornine, Ben Arous governorate, while the fifth was arrested two days earlier in Cité Ettadhamen, Ariana governorate. The appeals court, however, overturned the initial judgment against four prison administration agents, acquitting them. The court also confirmed the guilt of eight other defendants, reclassifying their actions as negligence by a public agent responsible for guarding an escaped detainee. Each of these eight received a two-year suspended prison sentence with a warning against reoffending. Additionally, the court increased the sentences for two other defendants to seven years in prison and reclassified the charges against seven other defendants as complicity by an agent responsible for guarding an escaped detainee, sentencing them to seven years of imprisonment.
The Swedish Embassy in Tunisia released a video on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, showcasing a symbolic moment of friendship before the upcoming football match between Tunisia and Sweden. The video features six individuals, three wearing the Tunisian national team jersey and three in the Swedish jersey, embracing warmly. The accompanying message, "Together in friendship, see you on the field," emphasizes fair play, respect, and camaraderie beyond the competition. This initiative highlights football's role as a universal language that brings people together. The highly anticipated match between Tunisia and Sweden is scheduled for June 15, 2026, at 03:00 local time at Monterrey Stadium.