US urges Tunisia to make 'swift' return to democratic rule

TUNIS, Tunisia

The United States has urged Tunisian President Kais Saied to make a “quick” return to democratic rule in the country.

The call was made by US Ambassador Donald Blome during his meeting with the Tunisian president at the Carthage Palace on Tuesday evening at the end of his tenure in the North African nation.

The US encourages “Tunisia’s swift return to constitutional democratic governance, including an elected parliament,” the US Embassy said in a statement.

Blome stressed “the need for a reform process that is inclusive of diverse political and civil society voices,” while also reiterated US “support for the aspirations of the Tunisian people for an effective, democratic, and responsive government.”

Tunisia has been in the throes of a deep political crisis since July 25, 2021 when Saied dismissed the government, suspended parliament, and assumed executive authority, in a move decried by opponents as a “coup.”

Last week, the Tunisian president dissolved the suspended parliament, hours after lawmakers held a plenary session to revoke his measures taken since July 25.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar in Ankara