Racism or Xenophobia: What is Going on in Tunisia?
In what has been deemed as dangerous rhetoric that has fostered acts of violence against migrants, many Tunisians have taken to the streets to protest President Kais Saied's strong remarks. It all began on the 21st of February when President Saied commanded security forces to expel all illegal migrants as he believes that they are part of a conspiracy meant to dilute Tunisia's ethnic demographic composition. Simply put, Saied believes that there is a conspiracy working towards making Tunisia more African and less Arabic.
In response to these reckless remarks, many Tunisian activist groups took to the streets to protest and stand in solidarity with the many migrants who reside in the country. The African Union has also condemned these sentiments from the President. Here is a statement issued by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
"The Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat strongly condemns the shocking statement issued by Tunisian authorities targeting fellow Africans which go against the letter and the spirit of our organisation and founding principles,"
Below is some of the evidence of the brutal attacks many migrants have suffered at the hands of law enforcers and civilians who are championing Saied's campaign against migrants.
I want to introduce you to some of the kind, dignified ppl—most of them card-carrying UNHCR-certified refugees—surviving in utterly inhumane conditions in one of #Tunisia’s 🇹🇳 very poshest neighbourhoods.
— Monica Marks (@MonicaLMarks) March 4, 2023
This is what President Saied’s “Great Replacement” speech has wrought:🧵⬇️ pic.twitter.com/hP2Eojuf7F
In the next segment of this article, Top Tunnel will attempt to critically dissect the motive behind President Saied's dangerous utterances.