The metaphors used by Algerian diplomats leave little room for ambiguity. When Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf was invited to Tunis on 26 January, he was tasked with “conveying to the Tunisian president the greetings of his brother, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune”.
Pushing the familial symbolism further, the statement issued by Algeria’s foreign ministry underlined Tebboune’s desire to deepen the “partnership between the two brotherly countries”. In September, he had welcomed his Tunisian counterpart with the same warmth.
Yet outside official circles, the honeymoon between the two North African states is drawing growing criticism in Tunisia, especially within the ranks of an increasingly repressed opposition.
Backlash against Algerian alleged interference has reached a new peak since the two countries signed a new defence cooperation agreement on 7 October, after months of negotiations.
The deal was signed by Algeria’s army chief of staff, General Said Chengriha, and Tunisia’s Defence Minister, Khaled Sehili.
