Tunisia -

The sudden decision of Tunisian President Kais Saied to dismiss the "executor of his palace's orders," Foreign Minister Othman al-Jarandi, sparked surprising reactions, following a series of previous dismissals that included some ministers in his current government.

And just as the last three dismissals of each of the ministers of education, trade and agriculture took place without any explanation, the Presidency of the Republic published yesterday evening, Tuesday, a brief statement on the dismissal of Al-Jarandi, and the appointment of Ambassador Nabil Ammar as his successor, but without justification.

The new minister, Nabil Ammar, previously held the position of Tunisian ambassador to London (2012-2017), and since October 2020 until his appointment as foreign minister, he held the position of extraordinary ambassador and plenipotentiary position of the Republic of Tunisia in Belgium.

Grundy's reaction

Commenting on the decision to dismiss him from his post, the dismissed Minister of Foreign Affairs tweeted, "Today, my duties as Minister of Foreign Affairs ended after 3 years, and in a delicate circumstance my only compass in it was the supreme interest of Tunisia."

Despite the nature of his sudden dismissal, Al-Jarandi continued, "All my appreciation to the president for his confidence, the prime minister and the ministry's executives. I will remain wherever I am in the service of this country. We are all passing through, and Tunisia remains a witness to those who love it and are loyal to it."

And before his dismissal, Al-Jarandi graduated in various positions in the diplomatic corps, before he ended up carrying the foreign portfolio with more than one successive government in Tunisia, since the fall of the regime of the late President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Even after the exceptional measures that extended the authority of President Qais Saied in the country since July 2021, Prime Minister Naglaa Boden preferred to keep Al-Jarandi (71 years old) at the head of this sovereign ministry until yesterday.

Othman Al-Jarandi often defended the decisions of President Kais Saied, especially those exceptional measures, and he confirmed -

in a previous interview with Al-Jazeera Net

- that Tunisia lives in a democratic climate open to criticism.

jitter absorption

Former Tunisian diplomat Abdullah Al-Obeidi believes that the dismissal comes in the context of a series of dismissals to absorb the anger of the street.

Tunisia witnessed a dismissal movement that began last month, in the wake of the legislative elections last December, which witnessed great reluctance among citizens.

Although some linked the decision to dismiss Al-Jarandi to his conversation with his Syrian counterpart, Faisal Al-Miqdad, after the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey, Al-Obaidi tells Al-Jazeera Net that the dismissal was planned before.

The last call 55 minutes ago for Othman Al-Jarandi with his Syrian counterpart before Qais Saeed finished his duties# Rule_of_Bastard# Down with the coup_in_Tunisia


President of the Republic Qais Saeed decided, today, Tuesday, February 7, 2023, to end the duties of Mr. Othman Al-Jarandi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Tunisians Abroad.

pic.twitter.com/sLIfJt3M15

- Nizar (@TTitou21) February 7, 2023

economic crisis

Observers believe that Saeed dispensed with Al-Jarandi for not succeeding in convincing the West of the path of July 25, 2021, the date of the exceptional measures by which he abolished the constitution and parliament, dismissed the government, and ruled the country by decrees.

Activists attributed - via the communication sites - the dismissal of Al-Jarandi to what they consider a complete stalemate in the diplomatic movement, the stalemate in negotiations with the IMF, and the decline in Tunisia's classification to the lowest ranks according to the "Moody's" agency, which will negatively affect its image internationally.

Tunisia is experiencing an escalating economic crisis.

While the government has sought a first installment of a total loan of $1.9 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the latter has yet to approve the loan.

Qais Saeed rewards the dismissed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Othman Jarandi, with an exemption after the latter failed diplomatically to convince the Europeans and Americans of the July 25 coup path and the ensuing measures, the latest of which was the legislative elections that were boycotted by more than 90% of Tunisians.

- Anis Al-Faedi (@ AlfaydyAnys) February 7, 2023

Sharing failure

In this context, political activist Hatem Al-Mulaiki believes that it is not new for President Kais Saied to dismiss ministers without providing a reason for the dismissal.

Speaking to Al-Jazeera Net, Al-Maliki said that the president had to provide an assessment of the performance of the ministers and his general policy in the next stage, but he "remained imprisoned in dismissals and appointments in senior state jobs, without explaining to the public opinion the motives for his sudden decisions."

The spokesman added, "If there was a failure in Tunisia's economic diplomacy and improving its image after 5 major international summits attended by President Kais Saied, then the reason for that is not solely borne by the dismissed foreign minister, but also by the president."

Previous dismissals

The dismissal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs comes as a continuation of the series of dismissals announced by President Kais Saeed during the last period, when he sacked, on January 7, the Minister of Trade and Export Development, Fadela Al-Rabihi, and the Governor of Sfax, Fakher Al-Fakhfakh.

Observers suggested that the dismissal of the Minister of Commerce was due to the rise in prices, the loss of a significant number of basic materials, and the increase in speculation and monopoly.

Also, on January 30, the Minister of Agriculture, Elias Hamza, and the Minister of Education, Fathi Al-Salouti, were dismissed, and a member of the former executive office, Muhammad Ali Al-Bugdiri, was appointed to succeed Al-Salouti.

Observers suggested that the appointment of Al-Boughdiri would be a message from President Qais Saeed to the Labor Union, that he would not bow to pressure from educational unions that present a package of material and professional demands.