Canadian Army to send counter-terrorism experts to Tunisia

The Canadian Army is considering sending five soldiers to Tunisia to provide counter-terrorism training for the North African nation’s army, Ottawa Citizen News portal reports. The move according to the spokesperson of the Department of National Defence, Daniel Le Bouthillier, is part of Canada’s Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program. In Bouthillier’s words, Canadian Armed Forces personnel are looking at deploying troops abroad to train other nations’ security forces to augment their ability to maintain security within their borders. If confirmed, the training would comprise of courses covering Counter Improvised Explosive Devices,…

S’African Business Delegation in Tunisia for Trade & Investment Mission

The South African business delegation comprising of 22 companies from different sectors has arrived in Tunis, the capital city of Tunisia, to participate in the trade and investment mission. The mission is intended to strengthen the already existing cordial relations between South Africa and Tunisia. Briefing the delegation before the business forum, the South African Ambassador in Tunisia, Mr Harold Hoyana said Tunisia presented a lot of opportunities and South African businesses wanting to do business in that country needed to have a long-term strategy and patience. Hoyana adds that…

Tophet at Carthage: An ancient burial ground believed to be used for ritual sacrifice.

Tophets are at the center of one of the most contentious archaeological debates surrounding the region of northern Africa that was once part of the ancient Carthaginian Empire. The enigmatic ancient cemeteries are believed to have been used for the ritual sacrifice of children and animals. The burial site at Carthage in Tunisia, as well as others in the region, was discovered in the 20th century. It, along with the others, contained funerary urns stuffed with the cremated ashes and bone fragments of young children. Over 20,000 urns buried under…

In Tunisia’s War on Corruption, Local Government is on the Front Line

Brian Braun Brian Braun is a Program Manager in the Middle East and North Africa Division at the International Republican Institute. Eguiar Lizundia Eguiar Lizundia is a Senior Governance Specialist at the Center for Global Impact at the International Republican Institute. Seven years after the Jasmine Revolution toppled the graft-ridden dictatorship of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, corruption remains one of the top concerns of average Tunisians. With the launch of Prime Minister Youssef Chahed’s “war on corruption” in May 2017, many Tunisians hope that they may finally see a turning…