Tunis has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from
Fourah Bay College and English and a Master's in Rural Development from
Njala University, both part of the
University of Sierra Leone.[1] She worked as Program Manager of the Women's Network for Environmental Sustainability and as a Senior National Officer within the
United Nations office in Sierra Leone.[1]
Political career
Tunis was appointed the Minister of Planning and Economic Development[2] on 8 May 2018.[3] In this role she helped produce the president's National Economic Development Plan,[4][5] but was also responsible for a controversial
NGO policy that activists considered "unfriendly".[6]
Tunis was appointed Foreign Minister in a cabinet reshuffle by
PresidentJulius Maada Bio in May 2019,[7][8] replacing 2018 presidential candidate
Alie Kabba, who was demoted to the role of
UN representative.[4] She has described her foreign policy direction as "Sierra Leone first" and said that her foreign policy objectives are linked to boosting the country's image and prestige, including transparency in business as part of the president's renewed fight against corruption.[9]
Awards and honours
Tunis was named one of Sierra Leone's Fifty Most Influential Women in 2019 and nominated again for the award in 2020.[10]