President Reiterates Commitment to Combating Illicit Financial Flows
Strengthening Economic Protection and Financial Sovereignty
The President has reaffirmed his determination to closely monitor illicit financial flows, multiplying warnings on this sensitive issue. This consistent stance testifies to his conviction that protecting the economy and financial sovereignty requires a continuous commitment, essential to Tunisia's stability.
Background
On October 6, the President of the Republic, Kaïs Saïed, received the Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) and renewed warnings against the devastating effects of clandestine funds being channeled into the country from abroad. Behind these hidden financial flows, often laundered or transferred illegally, are parallel circuits that benefit individuals or structures operating outside of any control framework.
The President's Stance
The Head of State emphasized that "enormous sums of money are being channeled into the country from abroad in secret, while others are being laundered or transferred illicitly, benefiting certain individuals or entities." This leads to the conclusion that the modus operandi of the "new rich" from the dark decade and the old clan of the fallen Ben Ali regime seems to still be in place, impervious to the control and monitoring mechanisms of the Tunisian Financial Analysis Commission (Ctaf) under the BCT. The President also stressed that vigilance and continuous action by the authorities are indispensable to protect the national economy and financial sovereignty.
Call to Action
The President specified that these practices must cease, as they contravene not only national laws but also international conventions and treaties. He added that many practices and offenses must be stopped immediately, as the problem lies not only in the legislation, despite its shortcomings, but also in its application. "Those responsible for applying the law must fully assume their responsibilities," he emphasized, pointing to the instrumentalization and circumvention of the law without explicitly stating it.
A Recurring Concern
However, beyond the observation, the consequences of these practices raise concerns, as they result in the fragilization of the national economy, erosion of trust in institutions, trivialization of corruption, and ultimately, a direct threat to the country's financial sovereignty. These consequences also raise questions about the persistence of these practices, as this is not the first time Kaïs Saïed has addressed the role of the Ctaf during his meetings.
Previous Warnings
In February 2025, the President received the Governor of the BCT at the Carthage Palace, emphasizing the crucial mission of the Ctaf in protecting the national economy against suspicious financing and money laundering operations. This concern was reiterated in March 2025, when the President urged the Ctaf to fully assume its responsibilities, deeming its results "insufficient in the face of the persistence of suspect financing." In August, during a meeting with the Governor of the BCT, the President once again stressed the need for the Ctaf to play its full role in combating corruption, money laundering, and capital flight abroad.
Conclusion
The President's repeated warnings on the issue of money laundering and illicit financial flows indicate that the threat persists and solutions are slow to materialize. By repeating his warnings, the President seeks to maintain pressure on a highly sensitive dossier. This consistency translates his conviction that defending financial sovereignty cannot be a passing effort but a firm and continuous commitment, essential to Tunisia's credibility and stability.
