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Terrorism serves US plans in Tunisia: Pundit

Tunisian forensic police inspect the wreckage of a bus in the aftermath of a bomb attack on the vehicle in central Tunis on November 25, 2015. (©AFP)

Press TV has interviewed Abayomi Azikiwe, an editor with the Pan-African News Wire from Detroit, to get his take on the influence of terrorist attacks on Tunisia’s political prospect.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: As we’ve just mentioned this is not the first time Tunisia has been a victim of a terrorist attack. What do you make of the situation right now?

Azikiwe: This is a different type of attack from the standpoint that it will be direct threat on the fairly and newly elected president.

And of course with the security personal being impacted by this attack, it is a chilling effect toward the administration of President [Beji Caid] Essebsi. I believe that the problem is going to continue in Tunisia.

There has been a political vacuum in that country. It’s somewhat different than what we’ve seen in Egypt as well as in Libya. But developments in Egypt and Libya are impacting Tunisia as well.

So, I believe that this is going to provide broader openings for France and for the United States to interfere even at a deeper level in the internal affairs of Tunisia and the entire region.

Press TV: Then I guess the question is “would such a situation derail Tunisia’s political process and path toward democracy?”

Azikiwe: It will from the standpoint that there’s going to be an intensification of the security apparatus inside the country.

It will also have an impact on the economy. We saw several months ago with the brazen attack that took place on a tourist beach. And these attacks deter people from travelling to the states.

Let’s look at the impact of the bombing of the Russian tourist airline in North Sinai that took place several weeks ago and the impact of this attack.

I believe that these attacks are going to in fact bring about more repression both within Tunisia as well as provides a rationale for the former colonial powers, for the United States to step up their military presence and intelligence presence in that community and throughout North Africa.

 

 


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