Latest news with #Madouri
Roya News
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Tunisian president sacks prime minister
Tunisian President Kais Saied has dismissed prime minister Kamel Madouri, his office said on Friday, as the North African country grapples with major economic issues. Madouri, a technocrat appointed last August as part of a cabinet reshuffle, was replaced by Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, the former minister of public works, the presidency said. Zaafrani, 62, becomes Tunisia's second woman premier after Najla Bouden, who was in the post from October 2021 to August 2023. She takes office as Tunisia also faces criticism from the United Nations over the imprisonment of Saied's political opponents and as rights groups decry a rollback on freedoms. In 2019 Saied became president of Tunisia, the only democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring. However, since he staged a sweeping power grab in 2021, Saied has appointed four different cabinets, often expressing dissatisfaction with the government's performance. Deeply indebted Tunisia is mired in serious economic and financial difficulties, including sluggish growth and high unemployment. While not commenting on Madouri's dismissal, Saied was seen in a video posted on the presidency's Facebook page as telling Zaafrani about the need to better coordinate "government work". He insisted on removing "obstacles to meet the expectations of the Tunisian people". The president has the authority to dismiss ministers, judges and heads of public companies. In August 2024, Saied appointed Madouri premier. At the time he also replaced 19 other ministers, justifying his decision by citing "the supreme interest of the state" and "national security" imperatives. Madouri's dismissal comes in a tense political climate, with dozens of Saied's opponents imprisoned, some for two years, as well as businessmen and media figures. The presidency said there were no other cabinet changes apart from Salah Zouari, who was appointed public works minister as Zaafrani's replacement. Bouden was the first woman to serve as Tunisia's prime minister. She was replaced by a former central bank executive, Ahmed Hachani, who was himself replaced last summer. In video footage released before the announcement of the change of prime minister, Saied said: "It is time that every leader be held fully accountable, regardless of their position." "End the abuses against citizens," he added in the video taken at a National Security Council meeting. He also referred to as suspicious a series of protests and self-immolations that began in early March. "All this coincided with the start of the trial of the accused in the conspiracy against state security case," Saied said of an ongoing mass trial involving a number of his opponents. The trial began on March 4 and involves around 40 high-profile defendants including activists, politicians, lawyers and media figures, facing charges of "terrorism" and plotting against the state. Saied's defenders often say he has honoured his pledge to fight the corruption and inefficiency that have plagued Tunisia for decades. However, the country's more than 12 million people have suffered sporadic shortages of basic items including sugar and flour, and unemployment remains high. Tunisia saw economic growth of just 0.4 percent in 2024. Debt hovers at around 80 percent of GDP, compared with 67 percent before Saied took office in 2019. Saied was re-elected in October 2024 with an overwhelming majority of more than 90 percent, in an election marked by a turnout of less than 30 percent.
Zawya
13-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia: Prime Minister stresses need to establish timeline for national employment strategy
TUNIS: Prime Minister Kamel Madouri emphasised the need to establish a clear timeline for the National Employment Strategy as he chaired a small Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday at the Government Palace in Kasbah. The Prime Minister stressed, during the meeting dedicated to reviewing the pillars of the National Employment Strategy, that the strategy should be based on a clear vision, quantitative objectives, expected outcomes, precise monitoring indicators, identified funding sources and an implementation plan for its execution. In the same context, he urged that the strategy be built on a thorough diagnosis of the challenges, needs, and stakes of the labour market, as well as the structural changes in the world of work. This includes addressing the opportunities and challenges posed by digital transformation, artificial intelligence, enhancing the employability of job seekers, diversifying available programmes, and creating a strong foundation for generating integration opportunities and achieving decent work conditions. Madouri stated that the review of this strategy falls within the framework of the reforms adopted by the state in the Labour Code to promote decent work conditions and establish a fund for unemployment insurance for those laid off due to economic reasons, according to a statement issued by the Prime Ministry. This aims to reintegrate them into the economic cycle and initiate the implementation of the self-employment system. He affirmed that the establishment of the Higher Council for Education, as a constitutional institution, will provide the appropriate framework for formulating necessary reforms in employment and training policies, improving the employability of education graduates, and bridging the gap with labour market requirements. The Prime Minister emphasised that employment is a national priority and a constitutional obligation, requiring the state to take necessary measures to ensure it based on competence and equity. He reiterated that every citizen has the right to work under decent conditions and for fair wages, recalling the need to expedite the implementation of President Kais Saied's recommendations in this regard and to elevate the value of work as a right for every citizen. In this context, he called for addressing the challenges related to the labour market, particularly creating sufficient job opportunities to accommodate the influx of youth, improving job quality, and attracting the informal sector into formal frameworks. This would ensure the provision of programmes and policies capable of enhancing labour market performance, especially on the demand side, to create more and better jobs. Madouri pointed out that creating a dynamic and inclusive labour market is one of the pillars of economic and social growth. He highlighted that the fundamental principles of the decent work programme, as outlined by the International Labour Organisation—creating and providing employment opportunities, benefiting from social protection, promoting social dialogue, and ensuring workplace rights—represent an ideal framework for developing employment policies and programmes. The Prime Minister affirmed that the state is working to enhance the dynamism of the national economy to stimulate investment, improve the business climate, and create projects with high employment capacity both quantitatively and qualitatively. This includes achieving sustainable growth rates, encouraging entrepreneurship and reconsidering labour market governance to better align training with employment needs. On this occasion, Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Riadh Chaouad, presented an overview of the progress in updating the National Employment Strategy and the outlines of the implementation plan. He also proposed key solutions for better governance of the employment sector, along with a series of urgent measures that could be implemented, whether in wage employment or in promoting entrepreneurship, updating and developing support, guidance, and qualification programmes, and enhancing the capabilities of a responsible, highly employable, productive, and development-contributing human capital. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was emphasised that the document presented should be enriched according to the recommendations and observations made. The role and responsibility of all ministries were highlighted to ensure harmony between various sectoral strategies and the National Employment Strategy, relying on a participatory approach with all stakeholders. The meeting called for the resumption of the work of the National Steering Committee for the Strategy at the earliest opportunity to finalise the strategy's format in preparation for its presentation to a cabinet meeting. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
11-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia: Small Cabinet meeting approves measures to finance 2025 grain harvest season
TUNIS: Measures to finance the 2025 grain harvest season were approved at a small Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kamel Madouri on Monday at the Kasbah. These measures include expediting the issuance of a decree to set grain prices, payment methods, weighing procedures, and delivery protocols for the 2025-2026 season before the harvest begins. The meeting, dedicated to preparing for the grain harvest season, ordered the National Grain Office to exceptionally finance grain purchases for the 2025 season starting February 20, 2025. Additionally, a committee will be established within the office to review and decide on grain collectors' purchase requests by mid-April 2025 at the latest. According to a statement from the Prime Ministry, the Cabinet meeting also approved amendments to Annex No. 2 of the grain collection activity regulations, specifically revising Point 10 regarding the minimum requirements for grain collection centres, in line with Decree No. 1876 dated August 11, 2004, concerning facility suitability and safety certificates. The meeting decided to allocate financial advances to central cooperative companies, finalise the list of collectors and collection centres in production areas, and approve calibration laboratories. It also recommended forming oversight committees for collection centres and calibration laboratories, as well as committees to ensure operational continuity. Training for stakeholders in sampling, stock preservation, and grain calibration was emphasised, along with practical field training on open-air storage. The meeting proposed establishing a joint committee comprising representatives from the Grain Office and collectors to address issues during the harvest season. A dedicated hotline and email will also be set up to monitor the season's progress. The small Cabinet meeting decided to hold working sessions with the National Railway Company, the Transporters' Chamber, and grain collection cooperatives to develop an evacuation plan based on estimated grain quantities. In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Madouri stressed the importance of logistical, organisational, and institutional preparedness. He highlighted the need to assess the readiness of stakeholders, ensure smooth operations, and enhance the capacity of collection centers and calibration laboratories. He also emphasised modernising the grain system within a strategic vision for a renewed and sustainable agricultural model, adapting to climate change, leveraging digital transformation in agriculture, and improving grain collection centres. Madouri underscored the importance of restructuring the National Grain Office, as ordered by President Kais Saied, to ensure effective governance, modernise the strategic grain sector, and improve collection and storage processes. This aims to maintain the quality of national production, rebuild reserve stocks, reduce imports, and achieve food self-sufficiency and sovereignty. The Prime Minister recommended continuing to promote durum wheat cultivation, reviving soft wheat, barley and other crops, especially in remote areas, and reviewing the financial support mechanisms for grain producers. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
African Manager
05-03-2025
- Business
- African Manager
What strategy for waste reduction and valorization?
Tunisia ranks as the third most environmentally polluted country in Africa, after Egypt and Algeria, with a pollution rate estimated at 75.12%, according to the Heinrich Böll Foundation. A recent report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) indicates that 20% of all plastic waste produced in Tunisia ends up in the Mediterranean, costing the national economy 58 million dinars (20 million dollars). While the lack of awareness campaigns and a clear, coherent national strategy to combat plastic use contributes significantly to the ecological crisis, the government is not solely to blame in this environmental battle. Waste reduction under Madouri's scrutiny The National Strategy for Waste Reduction and Valorization was the focus of a small Cabinet meeting held on Monday at the Government Palace in Kasbah, chaired by Prime Minister Kamel Madouri. Several strategic decisions were made during this meeting, including the launch of major projects outlined in the 2026-2030 development plan, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, regional and local authorities, and the private sector, according to a statement from the Prime Ministry. In this regard, it was decided to establish household waste treatment and valorization centers in Sfax, Djerba, Siliana, Mahdia, and Gafsa, as well as green centers for waste sorting and collection in municipalities. Creation of organic waste composting units In the same context, the cabinet meeting decreed the creation of organic waste composting units, biogas production units, and five projects for valorizing biogas from controlled landfills to inject biogas into the national distribution network. The cabinet's decisions also include the establishment of five units for the treatment and valorization of construction waste and the implementation of regulations requiring the use of a percentage of recycled materials in road and construction projects, the statement added. Furthermore, the small Cabinet meeting advocated for strengthening international partnerships to leverage mechanisms and programs related to the environment and climate change, including UN funds for clean production and green cities. It ordered the development of a guide for investors in waste management, in partnership with the General Authority for Public-Private Partnerships and the Ministry of Interior, and the updating of legislation to encourage the circular economy through tax incentives for companies engaged in recycling and the use of sustainable materials. Pillars and objectives of the National Waste Valorization Strategy At the legislative level, the cabinet called for expediting the adoption of a decree amending Government Decree No. 2020-32 of January 16, 2020, which specifies the types of plastic bags whose production, import, distribution, and possession are prohibited in the domestic market. It was decided to enhance equipment to enable hospitals and healthcare facilities to sterilize medical waste before treatment and valorization, and to support the Tunis International Center for Environmental Technology to develop scientific and technological knowledge in waste management and valorization. On this occasion, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to adopt an innovative and pragmatic approach to a national strategy for waste reduction and valorization, involving all relevant stakeholders and securing the necessary funding for its implementation. For his part, the Minister of Environment provided an overview of the environmental challenges facing Tunisia, as well as the management of household, industrial, and medical waste. He also outlined the pillars and objectives of the National Strategy for Waste Reduction and Valorization.
Zawya
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Tunisia: Council of Ministers discusses draft laws and decrees
Tunisia - Prime Minister Kamel Madouri on Thursday presided over the Council of Ministers at the Government Palace in Kasbah to review several draft laws and decrees related to the health, civil protection, and education sectors. According to a statement issued by the Prime Ministry, the Cabinet discussed a draft organic law concerning the approval of a headquarters agreement between the Government of the Tunisian Republic and the Arab Board of Health Specialisations. This agreement aims to establish a coordination office in Tunisia, which will enhance Tunisia's role and that of the Maghreb countries in the activities of the Arab Board of Health Specialtisations. The office will enable Tunisia to benefit from the programmes and services provided by the Board to member states, strengthen Tunisia's regional and Arab positioning, and contribute to healthcare training. Another draft law reviewed by the Cabinet pertains to the approval of a loan agreement signed on September 24, 2024, between the Tunisian Republic and the French Development Agency (AFD) to contribute to the financing of a project to modernise the National Office of Civil Protection. The loan agreement aims to support the intervention capabilities of the National Office of Civil Protection, ensuring optimal preparedness and effective disaster response. The €50 million loan, repayable over 20 years with a 7-year grace period, will enhance Tunisia's civil protection system by improving risk anticipation, prevention, and response mechanisms. The Cabinet also examined a draft decree extending the mandate of the Results-Based Management Unit responsible for implementing the Primary Education Support Project. This project, co-funded by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, was established under Government Decree No. 493 of May 29, 2019. The extension aims to increase the capacity of primary schools, improve their infrastructure and equipment, enhance the quality of education for students and teachers, and upgrade educational spaces. The project includes the construction of 50 new schools, expansion work for 2,000 schools, and the rehabilitation of 800 schools. Additionally, 500 primary schools will be equipped with computers and digital tools. Currently, 1,325 primary schools across the country are covered under this initiative. At the outset of the meeting, Prime Minister Madouri stressed the importance of intensifying the pace of government work and ensuring that all public structures and services fulfill their legal responsibilities. This, he said, is essential to ensure effective performance and the proper governance of public facilities. He also called for mobilising all available resources and efforts across state structures to implement the government's social and economic programs. Madouri urged the government team to fully commit to achieving the set objectives, which are aligned with the principles of a social state. These include improving citizens' purchasing power and living standards, as well as enhancing the quality of services provided by public institutions, in line with the priorities outlined by the President of the Republic. The Prime Minister emphasised the need for all ministries to move forward with reforming public structures and institutions under his supervision. He called for accelerating the pace of reforms, shortening deadlines, and achieving a legislative revolution across various sectors. «Each ministry is expected to propose practical and radical solutions, adopting a bold and comprehensive approach to improve public management and enhance the performance of public institutions.» This, he said, is crucial to overcoming existing challenges and restoring financial stability. Madouri also highlighted the importance of balancing the acceleration of public projects, which are a key component of public investment, with stimulating private investment as a driver of social and economic development. He called for increased efforts to support investors and activate dedicated structures across ministries and public institutions. Additionally, he underscored the significance of the horizontal investment law, which has reached advanced stages of preparation under the adopted approach to stimulate investment. The Prime Minister reiterated the government's commitment to achieving tangible progress in all sectors, ensuring that Tunisia's development goals are met efficiently and effectively. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
