M'hamed Djellouli

Who was M'hamed Djellouli?

M'hammed Djellouli was a Tunisian politician and Prime Minister.

He was born into a patrician family of the Tunis aristocracy affiliated with the Beylical Makhzen. He began his career in 1872 as an official in the Methelith tribe. In 1874, he was appointed vice president of the Capital's City Council, while also leading Djerba and Methelith starting in 1875, when he became a brigadier general. In 1876, he became responsible for reviewing any cases between subjects of the Bey of Tunis and European nationals.

In 1880, he became governor of Kef Wanifa and Agha Odjak and caïd of Sfax and South Agha Odjak after the expulsion of his predecessor and uncle, Hassouna Djellouli. In 1890, he was replaced in Sfax by his nephew, Sadok Djellouli.

After proving his loyalty to France, he was appointed in 1881 by the French authorities to succeed Mohammed Aziz Bouattour as Minister of the Pen and Minister of Justice for the first government of the French Protectorate of Tunisia. In April 1887, he received a palace in Tunis Médina on the rue du Riche from Jules Ferry during his visit. Serving from 1882 to 1906, he succeeded Bouattour as grand vizier from 1907 to his death in June 1908. He is among the ministers buried in the Tourbet El Bey mausoleum located in Medina of Tunis