Tunisian President Kais Saied has dismissed the Director General of the Tunisian Institute for Strategic Studies (ITES), without providing an official explanation for his removal.
On Tuesday, 10 February 2026, President Saied relieved Sami Ben Jennet of his duties as head of the ITES.
The announcement was made public without a detailed statement outlining the reasons for the dismissal or identifying a potential successor.
The ITES, an institution attached to the presidency, is tasked with producing forward-looking and strategic analyses on major national policy orientations. Its leadership therefore falls directly under presidential authority. In the absence of official clarification, the decision has raised questions about the stability of advisory institutions operating under the head of state.
Since 2021, the Tunisian presidency has rang several leadership changes across public bodies and administrative structures, against the backdrop of an institutional reconfiguration marked by an increased concentration of executive powers. Dismissals, frequently announced without detailed justification, have repeatedly sparked debate within political and academic circles over governance standards and administrative continuity.
The lack of transparency regarding the evaluation criteria or alleged shortcomings attributed to the outgoing official has fueled criticism over the management of public institutions. Some observers argue that repeated reshuffles in strategic positions may undermine the production of independent expertise, particularly within an institution dedicated to policy foresight and analysis.
No timeline has been provided for the appointment of a new DG, nor have future orientations for the ITES been outlined. The decision comes amid a national political climate characterised by persistent tensions between the executive branch and segments of civil society calling for greater institutional clarity and stability in public affairs.
MK/AK/lb/as/APA