The threat of a terror attack has prompted the Tunisian government to cancel the Sixth South to South Anglican Conference scheduled to begin on 12 Oct 2015 in Carthage. Approximately 150 Anglican leaders from Africa, Asia, and the Americas were set to begin the week long gathering at a resort near Tunis when organizers wrote to participants on 10 Oct 2015 saying the meeting had been cancelled.
The Archbishop of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Most Rev. Mouneer Anis told participants the “Tunisian government informed me only this morning that the security situation in Tunisia at the moment does not allow holding the conference at this time. This morning an attempt of assassination happened by terrorist group in the same district of Hammamat where we planned to hold the conference.”
On 8 Oct 2015 a car driven by Ridha Charfeddine, a Tunisian member of parliament and prominent businessman, was attacked by gunmen in Sousse. While his car was hit, Mr. Charfeddine, a member of President Beji Caid Essebsi’s secular Nidaa Tounes Party, was able to escape unharmed.
In July, 38 people, mostly foreign tourists, were killed by a gunman. Two men attacked the Bardo Museum in Tunis earlier this year, killing 22 people. The Tunisian affiliate of the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the two attacks.
In his letter to the participants, Dr. Anis wrote: “I feel very sad however I think it is wise to listen to the security. I will be in touch with you in the near future to inform you about other suggestions to hold of the Global South conference.”
