Tunisian President Kais Saied hinted on Thursday, April 6, that his country, which is an independent state, will not bow to the « dictates » of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which conditions the granting of a loan to economic reforms and the lifting of certain state subsidies by Tunis.
« As far as the IMF is concerned, diktats coming from abroad and which only lead to more impoverishment are unacceptable », he declared to the press, on the sidelines of a ceremony in Monastir (center -est), organized on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the death of the father of Tunisian independence, the late Habib Bourguiba (1956-1987).
While Tunisia has many resources that can help it face its economic challenges, the solution is to « count on ourselves » in order to preserve social peace, which can be undermined by the lifting of certain subsidies, estimated the tenant of the Palace of Carthage.
The Head of State recalled the « bread riots » which started in December 1983, under the Bourguiba regime, after the government measure to abolish the subsidy on cereal products.
« We must find other alternatives because social peace is not a game and cannot be taken lightly, » he said.
Still according to his words, « the problem of debt arises every year (…) The IMF, the monetary institutions and the whole world must understand that the human being is not just a number », that the will of the people must be respected and the human dimension taken into account.
Tunisia, which is going through a serious economic and financial crisis, had obtained, in mid-October, an agreement in principle from the IMF for a new loan of nearly 2 billion dollars to help it cope with this situation, but the discussions between the two parties are at an impasse, for lack of a firm commitment from Tunis to align themselves with a program of reforms recommended by the financial institution.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1120 of 07/04/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
