DR ‹ › The Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, launched a scathing critique against nations that have normalized relations with Israel, accusing them of attempting to «sow confusion and discord between Algeria and Tunisia». Though he refrained from naming these countries directly, his message was clear. «Certain forces are trying to fracture the fraternal ties between Algeria and Tunisia, believing this will render Tunisia more vulnerable», he asserted before the combined Houses of Parliament. «Those advocating for normalization think that by isolating Tunisia from Algeria, they can make it an easy target. They underestimate the resilience of the Tunisians. Their aim is to divide us and create dissension», he emphasized. President Tebboune further condemned what he described as an «attempt to destabilize» Tunisia, underscoring that «the security of Algeria and Tunisia is intricately linked. Algeria's security is an extension of Tunisia's, and vice versa; any threat to Tunisia is a threat to Algeria». These remarks come against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Tunisia, following the October 7 signing of a military cooperation agreement in Algiers between the two nations. The Tunisian opposition, after leaked details of the agreement surfaced on social media, accuses President Kaïs Saïed of placing Tunisia under an «Algerian protectorate». By pinpointing «normalizers with Israel» as the culprits behind efforts to «sow discord» with Tunisia, President Tebboune is reiterating a longstanding stance. «The situation became even more complicated after the reception (in August 2022, ed.) given by Tunisia to the President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Brahim Ghali. Since then, Tunisia has been the target of a plot. Algeria stands by its side. We will never abandon Tunisia, much to the dismay of some parties», he stated during a March 2023 interview with the Qatari channel Al Jazeera. «Kaïs Saïed epitomizes the will of the people. He is not a president imposed or installed through a coup», the Algerian president added. Last night, addressing both Houses of Parliament, Abdelmadjid Tebboune once again lauded «the qualities and skills of Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed», presenting him as someone who does not align with Israel.
