Through the promotion of new security force officers, Tunisian authorities are reaffirming the critical importance of security issues in the state’s discourse, presenting them as a vital lever for sovereignty, stability, and the restoration of public authority.
During a ceremony held in Kairouan to mark the graduation of the “Marouane Kaderi” class, the Tunisian Minister of the Interior described security as a “sacred mission.” This choice of phrase aligns perfectly with the discourse promoted for several years by President Kais Saied, positioning security as one of the main markers of public action on par with national sovereignty and the fight against corruption. The graduation of 950 officers from various security academies comes at a time when authorities regularly highlight operations conducted against criminal networks, drug trafficking, and various forms of organized crime. Recent drug seizures, arrests, and the dismantling of networks are thus presented as concrete manifestations of a policy aimed at strengthening state control over the entire territory.
Beyond the operational dimension, this heavy emphasis contributes to the construction of a much broader political narrative. Since 2021, the Tunisian government has frequently linked the restoration of state authority to the consolidation of internal security, operating under the interpretation that security stability is a strict prerequisite for the country’s institutional, economic, and social recovery.
The official discourse, however, seeks to carefully reconcile firmness with legality. By emphasizing the need to apply the law without forgetting dignity, the Minister of the Interior stressed the importance of preserving a relationship of trust between the security forces and citizens. This reference directly reflects the authorities’ stated intention to present security action not only as an instrument of legitimate coercion, but also as a protective mechanism for the population.
The new graduates called upon to join the judicial police, intervention units, and other operational structures embody, in the government’s view, a new generation of agents tasked with strengthening the state’s presence and responding to contemporary challenges. In a region facing multiple risks ranging from cross-border trafficking to threats linked to organized crime, security remains one of the main pillars of legitimacy for the Tunisian government. Highlighting operational results and increasing personnel numbers are central to this strategy, which aims to make the security institution a lasting symbol of stability and the continuity of the state. Ultimately, the message conveyed by the authorities beyond the ceremony in Kairouan remains clear: security is now framed as one of the absolute cornerstones of current governance and as a central element of the political project championed by President Kais Saied.
MK/AK/Sf/fss/abj/APA