Tunisian President Kais Saied Faces US Aid Cuts and Egypt Diplomatic Outreach

Since suspending parliament in July 2021, President Kais Saied has consolidated power in Tunisia, prompting a crackdown on political parties, civil‑society leaders and the press. The United States reduced its military assistance to Tunisia by 50 % and warned of deteriorating bilateral ties, while Freedom House’s freedom score fell from 70 to 42 between 2020 and 2026.

In July 2026, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi spoke by phone with Saied, congratulating Tunisia on the 69th anniversary of its republic and offering Egyptian support for fires raging in Tunisian territory. The leaders discussed regional tensions and pledged deeper bilateral cooperation, underscoring both countries’ historic ties.