Kais Saied promises Tunisians a “New Dawn” from the Brotherhood
Tunisian President Kais Saied stated on Saturday that “those who attempt to disrupt Tunisia will be evacuated, just as the colonizers were evacuated from the country,” referring to the Tunisian Brotherhood.
On Sunday, Kais Saied celebrated the 60th anniversary of Independence Day in the Martyrs’ Garden in the city of Bizerte, northern Tunisia. The celebration was attended by Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani, Minister of Defense Imed Memmich, and the President of the People’s Representatives Assembly, Brahim Bouderbala.
Kais Saied said, “Tunisia will not forget those who preferred martyrdom, and we will work to raise the national flag because we have principles we will not deviate from.”
He added, “Our flag will remain raised everywhere for every Tunisian to be proud of, and we will work on purging the country of those who denied the martyrs of Tunisia’s independence.”
Saied spoke about the need to cleanse Tunisia and eliminate corruption at its roots, emphasizing that “we will work to elevate the voice of Tunisia and uphold justice, and the national flag will remain raised.”
On this day, the anniversary of the departure of the last French soldier in 1963, a national celebration was held, with the flag being saluted to the national anthem before wreaths were laid at the memorial for the heroes of independence, following a military parade.
Tunisia commemorates the 60th anniversary of Independence Day on Sunday, which marks the departure of the last French soldier from Tunisian soil, specifically from Bizerte on October 15, 1963.
The Independence Day anniversary is a significant milestone in Tunisia’s history, marking the regaining of full sovereignty over its land. The struggle did not stop after France recognized the country’s independence on March 20, 1956 but continued to achieve complete sovereignty, especially after France’s delay in leaving Tunisia.
The battle for independence began on February 8, 1958, when French forces launched an attack on the village of Sakiet Sidi Youssef on the border with Algeria, resulting in the deaths of 79 Tunisians and Algerians.
After that, Tunisia decided to effectively evacuate French forces from Tunisian territory, where they had encroached on the naval base in Bizerte.
The situation escalated in June 1961, with continued gunfire at the base.
On July 23 of the same year, the ceasefire was declared to give France the opportunity to leave and evacuate the naval base.
The French forces completed their withdrawal from Bizerte on October 15, 1963, with the departure of the French Admiral Véfay Minad from the city. With his departure, French colonization of Tunisia effectively ended on that date.
