Ministry of Territorial Administration (Ministère de l'Administration du Territoire) - Directorate of Political Affairs and Civil Status (MAT)

Under Ordinance 023/PR/2018, associations need prior authorisation to operate from the Minister in charge of Territorial Administration. The Ministry decides on authorisation or refusal, keeps control over associations' management and property, and can suspend or dissolve associations by ministerial order. NGO status (agrément) for development and humanitarian NGOs is reportedly handled separately, by a Permanent Secretariat for NGOs and Humanitarian Affairs under the ministry in charge of economy and planning.

The founders file a foundation declaration in three copies at the provincial capital (Gouvernorat) where the association will have its seat. It gives the name, purpose, seat and branches, and the name, age, profession, domicile and phone number of each leader. Three copies of the statutes and internal rules go with it, and the administration issues a receipt. The declaration alone does not authorise the association to operate. The Minister of Territorial Administration decides by order (arrêté) within three months of the receipt date. Within 30 days of receiving the authorisation, the association must publish it in the Official Journal in French and Arabic, at its own cost. Any change in leadership or statutes must be reported within five days and recorded in a special register shown to the authorities on request. The administration may check the association's management and property at any time. The Ministry may suspend or dissolve associations, and operating without authorisation is a criminal offence.