U.S. Congressman calls for end of U.S. aid to Tunisia

Joe Wilson, a Republican representative from South Carolina, has called for sanctions against Tunisia and the withdrawal of U.S. aid, according to the Middle East Monitor.

In a series of posts on X, Wilson expressed his concerns about Tunisia’s political trajectory, stating, "I warned years ago about Kais Saied’s authoritarian takeover of Tunisia. Today, sadly, Tunisia is a full rule-of-gun police state working with the CCP (Chinese Communist Party), War Criminal Putin, and the Iranian regime. We must cut aid & impose sanctions. Trump will fix it."

Tunisia received $167 million in U.S. aid in 2023, according to ForeignAssistance.gov. These funds were primarily allocated for military support, Tunisia’s social safety net system, community empowerment and emergency food security response.

President Kais Saied, who was democratically elected, consolidated power in 2021 by suspending and later dissolving parliament. Since then, his administration has cracked down on critics and opposition figures.

In response, Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar has also urged an end to U.S. aid to Tunisia under the Biden administration.

Wilson continued his criticism in another post, suggesting that Saied’s rule may be nearing its end.

"Tunisian dictator Kais Saied was a major supporter of the brutal Assad regime in Syria," he wrote. "Assad is not laughing anymore, and Saied will go the way of Assad."