A US congressman has stirred controversy in Tunisia by condemning President Kais Saied and demanding an end to American aid.
Republican Joe Wilson accused Saied of jailing opponents, canceling the Constitution, and destroying parliament while receiving US funding.
Saied, elected in 2019, seized sweeping powers in 2021, drawing criticism for undermining Tunisia’s democracy.
Wilson’s remarks triggered mixed reactions in Tunisia, with some mocking him and others demanding an apology.
Pro-Saied lawmaker Fatma Mseddi rejected Wilson’s statements, calling them foreign interference and an insult to national sovereignty.
Wilson refused to apologize, comparing Saied’s rule to Syria’s Assad and warning that his government would collapse.
His office insisted his position was consistent and vowed that a future Trump administration would correct US policy on Tunisia.
