The electoral campaign for Tunisia's presidential election in autumn 2024 is underway, with candidates facing the challenge of competing against the incumbent president, Kaïs Saïed. The 2022 Constitution sets eligibility criteria for candidates, but discrepancies between it and the electoral law raise questions about the minimum age requirement and other candidacy conditions. The Instance supérieure indépendante pour les élections (Isie), whose members are appointed by the president, is criticized for potential bias. The absence of a constitutional court to resolve legal contradictions and the situation of opposition figures either imprisoned or threatened with prosecution contribute to concerns about the transparency and democratic integrity of the elections. Despite these issues, President Saïed leads in the polls, with significant support from women and men aged 35 to 54.

Tunisia is undergoing a political transformation since July 2021, with President Kaïs Saïed's institutional reforms and a new Constitution adopted a year later. The country faces economic challenges, including shortages, inflation, and a lack of investment. The upcoming 2024 elections are critical for Saïed to reaffirm his legitimacy amidst low public interest and participation. Saïed's tenure has seen a general decline in the country's situation, with increased pressure on private entrepreneurs and media, and a crackdown on opposition. Despite introducing community enterprises for economic revival, immediate effects are unlikely, and the state's coffers are empty. Saïed's approach has silenced various sectors and isolated Tunisia internationally, while the country also suffers from a severe drought.

Tunisia faces a legislative proposal that aims to place non-governmental associations under government control, a move criticized by civil society and President Kaïs Saïed, who views foreign funding of some associations with suspicion. Amine Ghali, Director of the El Kawakibi Democracy Transition Center, argues for maintaining the balance provided by existing legal frameworks, which helped remove Tunisia from the FATF's blacklist in 2019. The proposed law is seen as an attempt to restrict freedoms rather than improve administrative matters, and the dissolution of the Instance against Corruption (Inlucc) in 2021 is highlighted as a paradoxical move by a state claiming to want more control. Ghali warns that the new law could harm Tunisia's standing with the FATF and criticizes the systematic targeting of independent structures, including the media, judiciary, and civil society, which he sees as an attack on the Tunisian people.

On November 16, Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed criticized the renovation works at El-Menzah stadium, a project started in June 2022 with a 29-month timeline and a budget of 30 million euros. The stadium, part of a sports complex designed by Olivier Cacoub for the 1967 Mediterranean Games, has hosted performances by notable figures like Oum Kalthoum and Michael Jackson. Despite showing signs of aging, experts do not consider it dangerous. However, its renovation raises concerns about traffic congestion in the now densely populated area. The neighborhood of El-Menzah, developed post-war and reflecting modernist architecture inspired by Le Corbusier, is at risk due to unauthorized construction and demolition. The destruction of a villa by architect Cyrille Levandovsky in 2022 sparked a movement led by Docomomo's Tunisian branch to preserve the area's architectural heritage. Architect Salma Gharbi emphasizes the social value of the neighborhood, which fosters sociability and sharing.

Haykel Ben Mahfoudh has been elected as a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC), becoming the first Tunisian and Arab jurist to hold this position. Despite lacking official support from Tunisia in his previous attempt in 2020, his 2023 candidacy was backed by the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Migration. Ben Mahfoudh, with a background in law and a family history of intellectuals, has been active in various legal fields and has held positions such as head of the Tunisian University Mission in North America. He aims to address new dynamics of international crime and conflict, such as terrorism and climate change, by proposing amendments to the Rome Statute.

Mosab Hassan Youssef, son of Hamas co-founder Sheikh Hassan Youssef, turned from a potential Hamas leader to an Israeli spy. Raised in Ramallah during the first Intifada, he was arrested at 18 and recruited by Shin Bet. He provided intelligence that prevented attacks and led to arrests within Hamas. After converting to Christianity, he faced exile and challenges in the U.S., including a denied citizenship application. His autobiography 'Son of Hamas' and the support of his former handler helped him eventually gain U.S. citizenship. Despite initial interest in his story, his refusal to be a symbol of Christian supremacy over Islam led to a decline in public attention. Recently, he has regained visibility by joining the Israeli delegation at the UN Security Council and calling for the liberation of Gaza from Hamas.

In Tunisia, the number of active associations has significantly increased since the fall of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, reaching 24,918. However, accusations of corruption and serving lobbies have been made against the associative fabric, often by those seeking to align with President Kaïs Saïed's intent to marginalize intermediary bodies. Associations have been accused of being instrumentalized by political parties like Ennahdha and Qalb Tounes. A legal void has allowed for potential abuses, and new legislation may subject associations to discretionary power from the administration, threatening their independence. The Tunisian Red Crescent has notably collected aid for Palestinians independently of the state. The current climate of suspicion and the proposed law could significantly impact the operations of both local and foreign NGOs in Tunisia.

Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed, leveraging his strong electoral mandate, has taken a firm stance on international issues, particularly regarding Palestine, which is enshrined in Tunisia's 2022 Constitution. His approach has caused friction with other leaders, such as Italy's Giorgia Meloni, and has led to Tunisia's isolation on the international stage, as seen in the country's abstention from a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Saïed's pan-Arabism and anti-normalization stance with Israel have also caused internal political strife, with disagreements between the president and parliamentarians. As Tunisia faces economic challenges and a presidential election looms, Saïed's unilateral actions and the discord with parliament raise questions about the country's political stability and international relations.

On October 27, 2023, the Israeli army demolished a street and memorial dedicated to journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin, where she was killed by Israeli forces on May 11, 2022. The article recounts the circumstances of her death, the subsequent investigation, and the impact she had as a journalist. It highlights the international and local reactions, including the Israeli admission of a 'malfunction' and the ongoing investigation. Shireen's career, her influence on young journalists, and her personal life are also discussed, painting a picture of a woman dedicated to reporting the truth and advocating for Palestinian freedom.

Derna, Libya, has been devastated by Storm Daniel, an exceptional 'medicane' that brought a year's worth of rain in one night, causing massive flooding and landslides. The city's infrastructure, including dykes of two dams, failed under the pressure, leading to a catastrophic situation with an estimated 11,300 dead and 10,000 missing. Rescue efforts are hampered by damaged communication networks and infrastructure, with international aid arriving from multiple countries. The disaster highlights Libya's political division and ineffective governance, which has left the country ill-prepared for such events. The broader implications point to the increasing threat of climate change-induced disasters in the Mediterranean region.