Three years after the Hambli affair, Tunisia regains a place of choice in the global governance of the fight against doping
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced the election of Tunisian Hala Kouki within its Consultative Commission of experts, representing the African continent. A designation which marks Tunisia’s return to the international scene, after several years of institutional turbulence in the anti-doping sector.
From the Hambli crisis to normalization
In 2023, Tunisia went through an open crisis with WADA, after the arrest of the director general of the National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD), Mourad Hambli.
The world organization then reacted firmly, denouncing an “injustice” and demanding his immediate release, considering that this detention undermined the independence of the Tunisian anti-doping system.
The dispute originated in a decision of non-compliance pronounced against ANAD by WADA, accusing Tunisia of not respecting certain international standards of the World Anti-Doping Code.
This sanction led to the temporary suspension of certain sporting rights in the country – including the ban on flying the Tunisian flag during a swimming tournament in Radès – before leading to the dismissal of Hambli and his preventive detention, in a tense institutional context.
Since then, the case has been closed, Mourad Hambli has been released, and Tunisia has carried out a complete reorganization of its anti-doping agency.
ANAD has regained compliance, and its relations with WADA have normalized, paving the way for renewed cooperation.
A Tunisian representative on a global scale
The election of Hala Kouki to the WADA Expert Advisory Commission marks a symbolic turning point.
Tunisia’s candidate for Africa, she obtained 8 votes, ahead of the Egyptian Iman Gomaa (7 votes), while the representatives of South Africa and Cape Verde each obtained 5 votes.
This commission, made up of ten members elected for three years representing the five continental zones, has the mission of formulating technical and strategic recommendations to WADA, in order to improve coordination between national agencies.
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Tunisia: WADA calls for the immediate release of the former anti-doping boss
