Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria enhance border security coordination
via Business News2 min read
Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria are strengthening their security cooperation to address persistent smuggling networks, irregular migration, and terrorist threats in the Sahara-Maghreb region. Officials from the three countries held the second meeting of the tripartite working group on securing common borders in Tripoli on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Discussions focused on enhancing operational coordination against cross-border threats and improving existing cooperation mechanisms. According to a statement from the Libyan Ministry of Interior, the talks covered developing border security cooperation, strengthening coordination among relevant services, and unifying efforts to confront common security challenges. The primary topics included combating transnational organized crime, terrorism, and irregular migration, which have been major security concerns for years. Participants explored ways to intensify operational cooperation and improve information exchange to enhance surveillance and control along common borders. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Public Affairs, Brigadier General Mahmoud Saeed, emphasized the meeting's importance in strengthening the security partnership, stating it reflects the will of Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia to boost common security cooperation and develop field coordination mechanisms to achieve high levels of readiness against cross-border threats. For Tunisia and Algeria, stabilizing Libya's security environment is a major national securit
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.
Tunisia's external balances continue to be supported by transfers from Tunisians residing abroad and tourism revenues. According to data from the Central Bank of Tunisia, these two primary sources of foreign currency have shown continued growth in the early months of 2026. Cumulative transfers from the Tunisian diaspora reached nearly 3.94 billion dinars by June 10, 2026, an increase of 4.79% compared to 3.76 billion dinars during the same period in 2025. Tourism revenues also grew, reaching 2.86 billion dinars by June 10, 2026, up 4.58% from 2.74 billion dinars a year prior. Combined, these two sources injected over 6.8 billion dinars into the economy by June 10, 2026, a 4.70% increase from approximately 6.5 billion dinars on the same date in 2025. In 2025, these sources collectively generated 16.86 billion dinars, compared to 15.86 billion dinars in 2024, marking an annual increase of 996.2 million dinars or 6.28%, underscoring their crucial role in balancing the country's external finances.
Twelve Tunisian citizens, who were detained for two days in the Zaou茂a region of Libya, have been released. Mustapha Abdelkebir, president of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, announced their release on Monday, June 15, 2026, on Diwan FM. The Tunisian nationals also recovered their vehicles and personal belongings. This release was achieved through coordination between Tunisian and Libyan security and official authorities, supported by local dignitaries. According to Abdelkebir, the Tunisians were randomly intercepted on a public road due to their nationality. Their detention was reportedly orchestrated by relatives of Libyan nationals held in Tunisia, aiming to pressure Tunisian authorities to secure the release of their family members, who have been incarcerated for approximately 18 months as part of ongoing legal proceedings. Abdelkebir confirmed that all twelve Tunisians are in good health. Some continued their journey to Tripoli, while others returned to Tunisia via the Ras Jedir border crossing.
Former Minister of Culture and historian Ezzeddine Bach Chaouch was released on Monday, June 15, 2026. This information was announced by lawyer Sami Ben Ghazi on Facebook. The decision comes five days after a detention order was issued, which caused significant emotion in intellectual and cultural circles, as well as on social media. The 88-year-old former minister was among five individuals targeted by detention orders issued on June 10 by the Indictment Chamber of the Tunis Court of Appeal, in a case related to the management and sale of land belonging to the municipality of Carthage. Journalist Zied El Heni was also among those concerned. Bach Chaouch's arrest sparked outrage due to his advanced age and fragile health. According to lawyer Sami Ben Ghazi, the detention order was executed on the night of June 10 while the former minister was in his medical bed at home. The lawyer stated that the historian, who is physically dependent, constantly uses respiratory assistance and was not allowed to take his oxygen tank during his transfer. He also condemned the use of pre-trial detention for an 88-year-old man, bedridden and suffering from serious health problems, deeming such a measure disproportionate. Public media later announced that Ezzeddine Bach Chaouch had been admitted to the cardiology department of Charles-Nicolle Hospital and was receiving continuous medical monitoring. This communication itself fueled controversy, with observers, journalists, and lawyers criticizin