Tunisian President Kais Saied issued an order on Friday, September 1, 2023, to terminate the duties of Moncef Matussi, the CEO of the Tunisian Gas Pipeline Company, after the publication of an investigation by ARIJ on Al Jazeera’s website titled “Farmers in Kasserine, Tunisia, and Sergaz… Rental Agreement Wasting Rights and Resources”.

The investigation was written by journalist Jihan Nasri, under the supervision of journalist Hanan Zbiss, and published on August 26, 2023.

The investigation reveals the failure of the “Sergaz” company, representing the Italian company Eni, to respond to the demands of farmers to increase the rent for the land through which the gas pipeline crosses Tunisian territory. Additionally, it highlights the company’s failure to fulfil its promises regarding some development projects in the Kasserine region, as part of its social responsibility.

The investigation team had been following the efforts of farmers and landowners in the Kasserine province for over a year to persuade the “Sergaz” company to raise the rent for the land through which the gas pipeline passes through Tunisian territory and onwards to Italy. They have also been seeking their financial dues since 2020, and for this purpose, they met with Moncef Matussi to present their demands.