Zenith Energy vs. Tunisia dispute nears resolution at ICSID, ruling expected early 2027
via Business News2 min read
The dispute between Zenith Energy Ltd. and Tunisia, before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ICSID, a World Bank-affiliated institution, has entered its final procedural phase. The company announced on Friday, June 26, 2026, that the schedule for final submissions has been set, with a ruling anticipated in the first quarter of 2027. The litigation, involving a claim of approximately $572.65 million, stems from an international arbitration initiated in June 2023 by the group's subsidiaries, based on the 1989 bilateral investment treaty between Tunisia and the United Kingdom. The merits hearing took place in Paris from April 20 to 24, 2026. The procedure is now in its post-hearing phase, where each party submits final written observations before the arbitral tribunal deliberates. No award has been rendered yet, and the proceedings are ongoing; Tunisia's potential liability has not been determined. The established timeline includes two rounds of submissions due on July 31 and September 30, 2026, before the case is taken under advisement. At the heart of the dispute are the Robbana and El Bibane concessions. The claimants accuse Tunisia of several breaches that, they assert, led to significant financial losses, estimated at $572.65 million based on independent expert assessments. In a previous decision on December 23, 2024, the tribunal rejected Tunisia's request to bifurcate the proceedings and address certain objections upstream, allowing the substa
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Tunisia's national football team experienced an early elimination from the 2026 World Cup, failing to secure any points and highlighting a gap with top international teams. This brief campaign, however, has initiated a broader discussion about the future of the national sports project. Herv茅 Renard, who took over as coach after Sabri Lamouchi's dismissal following a 1-5 defeat to Sweden, was tasked with stabilizing the team. Despite his efforts, Tunisia lost to Japan 0-4 and the Netherlands 3-1, exiting the group stage without a single point. The team consistently showed offensive inefficiency in crucial moments and persistent fragility on set pieces. The national selection struggled to establish a stable identity against more structured opponents, a problem not resolved by the mid-cycle coaching change. Renard stated his initial commitment was limited to the World Cup duration and that he is free to choose his next project. The Tunisian Football Federation announced a comprehensive evaluation period before deciding on the technical staff's continuity. However, a source close to the matter cited by AFP suggests that continued collaboration with Renard is not ruled out. His initial transitional mission could evolve into a longer-term project focused on rebuilding and stabilizing the national team. The Carthage Eagles are now entering a pivotal phase, where the focus extends beyond the World Cup elimination to defining a strategic trajectory, with Renard potentially becoming a
Must ReadHealth authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC reported on Friday, June 26, 2026, that the Ebola virus disease outbreak has reached 1,224 confirmed cases and 323 confirmed deaths. This marks the 17th outbreak recorded in the country. The current epidemic, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, was officially declared on May 15, 2026, simultaneously in the DRC and Uganda, following laboratory confirmation of cases in northeastern Congo and Kampala, Uganda's capital. Initially concentrated in northeastern DRC, the epidemic has since spread to two additional provinces, North Kivu and South Kivu. In Uganda, cases remain localized to Kampala. On June 22, the Congolese Ministry of Health had already confirmed over 1,000 cases, making this the third largest epidemic ever recorded in the country in terms of cumulative cases. In response, on May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization WHO classified this outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, highlighting the risk of regional spread. Currently, one case of Ebola has been confirmed in France, involving a professional returning from a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who is under specialized medical care.
Must ReadAbir Moussi, president of the Free Destourian Party PDL, has announced she will begin a hunger strike and observe silence until polling stations close for the partial legislative election in the El Kabaria constituency on Sunday, June 28. In a letter from her cell, Moussi states this action, coinciding with her 1000th day of detention, protests what she views as a loss of legitimacy of electoral institutions and the conditions of her incarceration. She reiterates legal arguments from a May 8 letter, claiming several members of the Independent High Authority for Elections Isie, including its president, vice-president, spokesperson, and a financial judiciary representative, completed their four-year terms on May 9, 2026. Moussi questions the legal basis for Isie continuing its activities, such as organizing the El Kabaria election, without public explanation. She also criticizes Isie for not issuing official communication or explanation regarding her concerns. Moussi highlights that the June 28 election marks her 1000th day since her arrest on October 3, 2023. She reports transfers between penitentiary facilities, difficulties accessing healthcare, and ongoing legal proceedings under decree-law n掳54 and article 72 of the Penal Code. She concludes her letter by stating her refusal to eat or speak until polls close, framing it as a tribute to "legitimacy" and a protest against "injustice" and "authoritarian drift." Moussi asserts that "repression will not correct dysfunctions and