Why did Tunisia expel Jelassi from UNESCO?
Taoufik Jallassi, former Tunisian Minister of Higher Education, has served as UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information since 2021. His impressive career made him a strong contender to succeed current Director-General Audrey Azoulay, whose term ends in November 2025.
According to informed sources, Jallassi reached out to Tunisian authorities to confirm his candidacy and request official support. However, the presidency informed him that this would not be possible, as Tunisia had already committed to backing the Egyptian candidate, Khaled El-Anani.
This decision stemmed from an agreement between Tunisian President Kais Saied and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt has been actively working to secure the position for its candidate. During a phone call in October 2024—meant to congratulate Saied on his re-election—Sisi explicitly asked him to support El-Anani’s candidacy and to prevent any Tunisian from entering the race, ensuring that the Egyptian would be the sole Arab candidate.
This position was reaffirmed on March 10, 2025—just five days before the nomination deadline—when the two presidents held an official conversation about bilateral relations and the situation in Gaza. During this exchange, Tunisia reiterated its support for Egypt’s bid and withheld Jallassi’s nomination, despite his strong qualifications.
Even after Jallassi withdrew, two other candidates emerged at the last minute to challenge El-Anani, who had previously stood unopposed: Firmin Edouard Matoko from the Republic of Congo, and Gabriela Ramos from Mexico.
Contacted by Africa Intelligence, Taoufik Jallassi declined to comment or answer questions.
The situation raises pressing questions about Tunisia’s independence in foreign policy under President Kais Saied. Has the country sacrificed its own highly qualified candidate to satisfy external pressure from Egypt?
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