Tunisia extends air mission in Central African Republic for another year
via Business News1 min read
Tunisia will continue its air mission in the Central African Republic for at least one additional year. President Kaïs Saïed has decided to extend the deployment of the Tunisian military air transport unit operating under the United Nations flag in the Central African nation. This decision was formalized by Decree No. 2026-89 of June 4, 2026, published in the Official Gazette of the Tunisian Republic, with the extension taking effect from July 1, 2026. The unit is part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic MINUSCA, a key UN peacekeeping operation in Africa. The initial deployment was authorized by Decree No. 2024-440 of July 18, 2024. This new decision allows Tunisia to maintain its contribution to international efforts supporting stability and security in the Central African Republic. Through this participation, the Tunisian armed forces continue to provide logistical support, particularly in air transport, within UN operations, enhancing Tunisia's visibility in multilateral missions under UN auspices.
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Must ReadTunisian journalist Khaoula Boukrim announced on Friday, June 5, 2026, that she has been informed of her referral to justice under anti-terrorism legislation and the initiation of legal proceedings against her. In a social media post, she stated she received a notification indicating an investigation is being conducted against her based on the law relating to the fight against terrorism. At this stage, she claims to have no specific details regarding the accusations. Boukrim, founder of the online media outlet TuMedia, which specializes in covering Tunisian political news and is known for its stances in favor of public freedoms and prisoners of conscience, believes she is being targeted due to her journalistic work and investigations. In her message, the journalist denounces what she considers a new step in the repression targeting critical voices. She recalls being forced to leave Tunisia several months ago, leaving behind her mother and relatives. This announcement comes in a particular context. Over the past week, a security unit visited her mother's home, according to information reported by the journalist. She interprets this episode as an additional sign of the pressure exerted against her. Khaoula Boukrim affirms her refusal to be silenced despite the legal proceedings initiated against her. She asserts that she will continue her journalistic activities and public stances, believing that the accusations against her are part of a broader climate of restricting freedoms.
Must ReadNine students were imprisoned on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Siliana after being caught cheating during baccalaureate exams. The students, aged 18 to 19, were found with earpieces used to receive answers during an exam at a center in the Bou Arada delegation. The public prosecutor's office at the Siliana Court of First Instance ordered their detention based on penal provisions related to exam fraud. This incident has sparked debate regarding the proportionality of sanctions and the increasing use of detention for offenses previously handled through disciplinary measures. This is not an isolated case; on Wednesday, June 3, four detention orders were issued in Tunis in a case involving the sale of cheating devices for national exams, implicating a teacher, a student, and two other students. Authorities appear to be adopting a stricter approach to academic fraud, especially with the proliferation of miniaturized electronic devices. While the need to protect the credibility of the baccalaureate is widely accepted, the severity of the repression is questioned. Tunisian law already imposes severe disciplinary sanctions, including exam cancellation and multi-year bans from national exams, which can have lasting consequences for young people. The addition of criminal proceedings and pre-trial detention fundamentally changes the response, treating students as delinquents rather than merely sanctioning academic misconduct. The legal framework used dates back to 1941, under the French prot
Must ReadTunisian President Kaïs Saïed has ratified nine agreements, executive programs, and memoranda of understanding between Tunisia and Algeria. These were published in the Official Gazette of the Tunisian Republic on Friday, June 5, 2026. Most of these texts were signed in Tunis on December 12, 2025, and aim to strengthen cooperation in various strategic sectors, including health, energy, employment, culture, and the pharmaceutical industry. The ratified agreements include two executive programs for sports and youth cooperation for 2026-2027. President Saïed also approved an executive program for the promotion of women, family, children, and the elderly for 2026-2028, and a health cooperation program for the same period. Other ratifications include a memorandum of understanding in the pharmaceutical industry, an employment cooperation agreement, and a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in energy, new, and renewable energies. A cultural cooperation executive program for 2026-2028 was also approved. Additionally, an agreement on the mutual recognition of conformity certificates, signed in Algiers in October 2023, was ratified to facilitate product circulation and enhance trade between the two countries. These decrees highlight the extensive Tunisian-Algerian relations and their shared commitment to operational cooperation across social, economic, industrial, and energy sectors.
Must ReadTunisia's inflation rate remained at 5.5% in May 2026, consistent with April's figures, according to the National Institute of Statistics INS. This follows a slight increase in inflation during spring, up from 5% in March and February 2026, and 4.8% in January 2026. While the overall inflation trend has been downward over the past two years, food prices continue to experience significant increases. The "Food and beverages" group saw an 8.2% annual rise in May 2026, a rate higher than general inflation. Six food categories recorded double-digit annual price increases in May 2026: lamb meat 21.8%, poultry 15.6%, beef 14.1%, fresh vegetables 12.2%, fresh fish 11.9%, and fresh fruits 11.6%. Other increases include dried fruits 6%, cereal derivatives 5.8%, chocolate and confectionery 5%, and salt and condiments 4.3%. Mineral water, beverages, and juices rose by 3%. Conversely, some prices decreased, with cooking oils down 6.1%, eggs down 4.6%, and dried vegetables down 0.4%. Powdered coffee prices remained stable. Monthly food prices increased by 0.4% in May 2026, primarily driven by a 4.2% rise in meat prices, including lamb and mutton 9.7% and beef 2.3%. This coincides with consumer complaints about high lamb prices ahead of Eid al-Adha. Despite the stabilization of the overall inflation rate, the continued rise in food prices, particularly double-digit increases in several categories, continues to strain household budgets in Tunisia.