Tunisia commemorates Evacuation Day and the 1963 French withdrawal from Bizerte

Tunisia commemorates Evacuation Day on October 15, marking the 63rd anniversary of the final withdrawal of French troops from the military base in Bizerte in 1963. While Tunisia gained independence in 1956, the continued French presence at the strategic Mediterranean naval base remained a major obstacle to full national sovereignty.

The path to withdrawal involved the Battle of Bizerte in July 1961, a conflict characterized by significant human sacrifice and an imbalance of military power between French forces and Tunisian citizens. Despite the military challenges, Tunisia achieved a diplomatic victory at the United Nations. Led by representative Mongi Slim, the Tunisian delegation successfully advocated for international support and negotiations, ultimately securing the complete removal of French forces and the consolidation of Tunisian sovereignty.