Tunisia participates in high-level virtual meeting on Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in DRC
via Business News2 min read
Tunisia's Minister of Health, Mustapha Ferjani, participated in a high-level virtual meeting on June 16, 2026, to monitor the Ebola Bundibugyo epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC and coordinate regional and international efforts to curb its spread. This participation followed instructions from the President of the Republic, Ka茂s Sa茂ed. During the meeting, the minister emphasized the importance of epidemiological surveillance, early warning mechanisms, and health system preparedness against cross-border health threats. Tunisia also reaffirmed its support for African and international initiatives to strengthen the fight against health emergencies and improve coordination among affected countries. The meeting took place as the Ebola epidemic, declared in the DRC on May 15, continues to raise concerns among public health actors, marking the 17th outbreak of the virus recorded in the country. M茅decins sans fronti猫res MSF warned on June 15 that the disease is progressing faster than the current response. According to figures from Congolese authorities and relayed by the World Health Organization WHO, 782 cases and 181 deaths have been recorded since the start of the epidemic. However, several organizations believe the true scale of the spread could be greater due to detection and surveillance difficulties in some regions. MSF specifically highlighted deficiencies in screening, contact tracing, and public awareness. In some insecure areas, access to testing remains limi
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Must ReadTunisia, 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
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.