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Tunisians calls for president not to accredit controversial US ambassador to Tunis

December 24, 2022 at 12:13 pm

Tunisian President Kais Saied [Tunisian Presidency/Anadolu Agency]

Tunisians have called for President Kais Saied not to accredit US President Joe Biden’s nominee, Joey Hood, as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Tunisia.

On Thursday, the US Congress approved Biden’s nomination, which caused controversy among Tunisians over previous remarks which were regarded as interference in Tunisia’s internal affairs.

“My next priority would be to help put Tunisia on a more stable and prosperous trajectory,” Hood told Congress.

“Tunisia now finds itself suffering the global repercussions of Putin’s brutal aggression in Ukraine, grappling with rising food insecurity and spiking energy prices,” he added.

He continued: “If confirmed, I would promote a vision of inclusive and open economic growth. The government is negotiating an agreement with the IMF, and this could be a step toward reforms that would benefit all Tunisians.”

At the time, Saied rejected Hood’s remarks, stressing that Tunisia “is an independent and sovereign state.”

READ: AU: Tunisia facing critical political challenge