Visit of Qatari Emir Divides Tunisian Political Society
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Qatari Prince Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani with Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki
Tunisians have marked the first anniversary of the toppling of the regime of former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, an event that triggered the Arab Spring.
A number of prominent Arab leaders attended the celebration of the 1st anniversary of the Tunisian revolution on January 14th. Algerian President Abdelaziz Boutaflika, Libyan head of the National Transitional Council (NTC) Mustapha Abdeljalil, and Qatari Prince Sheikh Hamad Bin khalifa al-Thani attended an event at Palais des Congres in downtown Tunis yesterday. Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, Prime Minister Hamdi Jebali and Speaker of The National Constituent Assembly Mustpha Ben Jaafer were at the ceremony to welcome the foreign dignitaries.
Many Tunisians were skeptical about the tiny Gulf emirate of Qatar’s intentions in the Tunisian Revolution. In fact, the visit of the Qatari Prince and future relations with his emirate has been a source of controversy among policy makers and citizens of Tunisia. Some have argued that the new diplomatic orientation of Tunisia is now headed in favor of stronger relations with the Arabian Gulf rather than relations with the traditional European-Western powers.
On January 13th, as part of his visit to the revolution’s anniversary ceremonies the Emir of Qatar signed several cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding with the government of Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali. These agreements included a memorandum of understanding between the Bank of Qatar and the Tunisian Ministry of Finance regarding the Tunisian-Qatari bank, a memorandum of understanding between the Tunisian Water and Gas company and the Qatari electricity and water company, and a cooperation agreement between the Tunisian Humanitarian Association and the Qatari Charitable Association.
Samir Ben Amor, member of the governing Congress For the Republic Party, said that the government has the right to invite any leader that wants to visit Tunisia. According to him, if enhancing relations with Arab countries is in Tunisia’s best interest, then Tunisia should enhance relations with Arab countries. ” If our nations’ best interest requires having new diplomatic relations with other countries then we should work with them, because we should put our countries best interest below our differences.”
“We welcome our Arab brothers just like we welcome Europeans or the west who support our revolutions,” he added.
Jounaidi Abed Jaouad, a member of the Democratic Modernist Pole Party said that as part of the opposition, his party welcomes any Arab Leaders coming to Tunisia or working to build better relations with them, however, Tunisians will not accept any interference from other Arab countries in their nation’s internal affairs.
” Tunisia should have good relations with all countries with no exception, however Tunisia’s diplomatic relations should be discussed with members of the Constituent Assembly.”
Ajmi Lourimi, member of the executive office of Ennahda, said that Qatar is a brother to Tunisia and it is supporting the Tunisian people and the revolution and respecting its choices.
“We will not jeopardize our relations with our traditional allies like Europe, however, we are now building a new foreign policy and it will be centered around achieving the revolution’s aims and the independence of Tunisia’s choices. In addition we need to create the appropriate envrionment for new investors to come to Tunisia and Qatar displayed its enthusiasm in investing in Tunisia and helping the Tunisian economy.”
According to Lourimi, Qatar has showed its intentions in supporting Tunisia’s democratic transition and its solidarity with the Tunisian people and its revolution. “The Emir of Qatar came to Tunisia to congratulate the Tunisian people for their heroic achievements and express his support and respect for the Tunisian’s choices,” he added.
On the other hand Mouldi Lfahem, a member of the executive office of the Progressive Democratic Party, said that the Tunisian people did not welcome this visit because they refuse any kind of intervention in Tunisia’s internal affairs. “The Tunisian people were chanting slogans like ‘Tunisians are free people, no US, No Qatar,’ so Tunisians refuse to let any outsider manipulate the revolution they created to meet anyone else’s interests… it is known that the Ennahda party is friends with Qatar and Qatar’s support for one party in the political process over the others is not acceptable,” he added.
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- Tunisia: Celebration of the Revolution’s Anniversary? « Tendance Coatesy | 16 January 2012
open your country only for those u call model democratic and u will see your democratic embryon to be devalued by them because of sake of their interest.Tunisia must be friend to everybody and first your neigbours and those your are sharing the same value amid arab world. tunisia must also try to have zero problem with any countries as Turkey in few years ago. More you are friend more they can listen to your advice but you must stand firmly in your own way of islamic democratic to show an example for those country and this not only today but for long term. thanks
This is what we call “La maladie enfantile de la revolution.” It seems to me that we should welcome anyone who wants to support a positive transition in Tunisia. If the Democratic Progressive Party has the finances to create jobs and take the Tunisian economy forward, it needs to put it money where its mouth is or simply be quiet.