The Bizerte question in Franco-Tunisian relations (1961-1963)

Abstract

This article discusses the Franco-Tunisian relations during the "Bizerte crisis" in 1961. The conflict arose when France refused to withdraw from Bizerte, its largest military base in Tunisia, leading to a short but violent armed conflict. The status of the base became a major issue after Tunisia gained independence. The French government, due to its interest in maintaining troops in Tunisia because of the events in Algeria, delayed negotiations for the base's evacuation. Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba strongly opposed this policy, leading to further escalation of the conflict. Through analyzing foreign policy documents, the author examines the changes and priorities in the relations between France and Tunisia in the early 1960s. The article highlights the impact of the crisis on the future development of Franco-Tunisian relations. This publication aims to address the lack of works on this topic in national historiography and provide a comprehensive view of the French-Tunisian relations during the Bizerte crisis.