Everything changed on February 21 in Tunisia. President Kais Saied’s statements at the meeting of the National Security Council on migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, deemed “racist”, produced a kind of electric shock, arousing anger and indignation, and putting the country in new danger .
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During this meeting, President Saïed surprised everyone, making violent remarks towards migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, accused of wanting to “change the demographic composition of Tunisia”.
If national public opinion was surprised, the components of civil society denounced a discourse that cultivates amalgamation and hatred. As a result, the country finds itself internationally discredited and isolated, subject to criticism and pressure that adds another layer to the inextricable problems it is enduring.
For some observers of the political scene, the Tunisian authorities, not having taken the proper measure of the scope of this discourse, see themselves today incapable of limiting the damage suffered by the image of Tunisia and its interests, nor develop the right arguments to extinguish the anger provoked both inside and outside the country.
Despite the belated multiplication by the public authorities of messages to reassure migrants from sub-Saharan Africa in a legal situation, the damage seems to have been done.
A large number of analysts argue that instead of providing solutions to increasingly complex issues, the Tunisian president has opted for a “diversionary maneuver”.
By publicly denouncing the arrival of “hordes of illegal migrants”, the Tunisian head of state finds himself caught in a kind of infernal spiral which accentuates Tunisia’s isolation and makes financial support from international institutions still unlikely. and regional, yet vital to prevent the country from bankruptcy.
Obviously, his remarks caused a real outcry. The African Union condemned, on February 24, his declarations that “Member States of the African Union must honor their obligations under international law (…) namely to treat all migrants with dignity, to wherever they come from”.
At the same time, the United States, on March 6, harshly criticized the Tunisian authorities. State Department spokesman Ned Price said “The United States is concerned about violence against migrants,” urging Tunisian authorities to respect their obligations and laws on protection rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
On the same day, the announcement made by the President of the World Bank Group had the effect of a bomb. The institution indicated, in a note, that discussions on the World Bank’s country partnership framework with Tunisia, defining the strategic orientations of medium-term operational commitments (2023-2027), have been temporarily suspended by the direction.
In some African countries, rallies have taken place. Some voices have been raised to demand the revocation of Tunisia’s participation in the continent’s governing bodies.
The image of Tunisia is seriously tarnished. The situation could have repercussions on certain sectors of the economy.
On social networks, calls for a boycott of Tunisian brands are relayed. The President of the Tunisian-African Business Council (TABC), Anis Jaziri, reported on March 5 the blocking of Tunisian goods in certain African ports, cancellations of orders and even markets, as well as than a campaign to boycott Tunisian products in other African countries, to redirect patients to other destinations, to return dozens of students to their countries, despite their legal status, and to cancel the trips of several sub-Saharan businessmen and missions (fairs, forums, etc.).
More seriously, there is great concern among thousands of Tunisians who work all over Africa. If time is running out, how could Tunisia act to repair the damage?
For several days, thousands of Tunisians have denounced the authorities’ migration policy, which they consider “racist”. Throughout the country, other movements in support of people who have been discriminated against have emerged. At El Manar University in Tunis, the words of President Kaïs Saïed are strongly criticized by the teaching staff.
In a press release, the public establishment announces its “rejection of practices of a racist nature” and wishes to reaffirm its “adherence to the principles of peaceful coexistence by combating all forms of discrimination, hatred and racism”.
With MAP
