Ghannouchi’s absence during French presidential visit to Tunisia ‘not a negative message’

Ennahda Movement officials and political analysts in Tunisia have dismissed claims that the fact that Shaikh Rached Ghannouchi did not meet French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to the North African country sends a negative message suggesting weakened relations between the movement and Paris.

“Ennahda is not in conflict with France or with any other party.” former health minister, Abdul Latif Al-Makki told Quds Press. “We begin our dealings with the national interests of our country. We understand the interests of others and are open to dialogue in order to achieve common goals.”

Al-Makki pointed out that there are important developments in Tunisia-France relations. “The French President himself confirmed that the Tunisian model proved that Islam is in line with democracy, and this was done through the constitution.” The official stressed that there are many developments, but the most important challenge for the success of the Tunisian experience is the economic portfolio.

Meanwhile, Ennahda’s Abdelhamid Jelassi repeated that Macron praised the Tunisian model when speaking in parliament. “Ennahda Movement is an authentic part of the Tunisian model,” he insisted,adding:

We are not haunted by the fear of establishing relations with any party, and we take our legitimacy from the people.

In fact, added Salaheddine Jourchi, a political analyst specialising in Islamic movements, the relationship between the French leadership and Ennahda Movement has developed in a positive way since the victory of the revolution in early 2011. He noted, though, that this does not mean that there are no opponents of the Movement in Paris. “Although there are French parties unhappy with the development of official relations between Ennahda and the French authorities, the whole French administration seeks to have a strong connection with the decision-making centres within the Movement, especially Rached Ghannouchi.” The French people, he said, understand that the balance of power in Tunisia continues to give the Movement an important position.

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According to Jourchi, Ennahda is keen to avoid creating any political or diplomatic problems with Paris. “The leaders of the Movement always say that Tunisia’s foreign policy is sound, that its leader is President Beji Caid Essebsi and that Ennahda supports and assists the president in the direction he takes at the level of diplomatic relations. Even Ghannouchi consults the president when he travels abroad or he provides him with reports after his return.” As such, he pointed out, France does not have significant reservations regarding Ennahda Movement and its policies.

The media website of the head of Ennahda Movement did not address President Macron’s visit, and did not publish any picture of any meeting between Ghannouchi, who returned recently from the World Economic Forum in Davos.

However, the Executive Director of Nidaa Tounes, the main partner of Ennahda Movement in the government, posted an album of photographs with Macron on his Facebook page. “I had a short meeting last night with Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, on the sidelines of the banquet hosted by President Beji Caid Essebsi in his honour. It was interesting to talk about the brotherly bilateral relationship between Tunisia and France,” he wrote.

In his speech before the Tunisian parliament, Macron said that his country would make every effort to help Tunisia and support it “as a brotherly country rather than a friend.” He pointed out that the Arab world and all countries in the Mediterranean need to see Tunisia succeed.

Presidents Essebsi and Macron signed eight agreements during the latter’s visit, the most important being a joint declaration on the priorities of the Tunisian-French partnership.

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