The words of the Tunisian President, Kaïs Saïed, with regard to the illegal immigration of African nationals, definitely do not pass. Several NGOs have denounced his remarks and it is now the turn of the African Union itself.
President Kaïs Saïed had advocated, Tuesday, February 21, ” urgent measures against illegal immigration of African nationals. He felt that their presence in Tunisia was a source of “violence, crimes and unacceptable acts “.
He also made very harsh remarks about the arrival of ” hordes of illegal immigrants » and insisted on « the need to quickly end to this immigration. The African Union condemns these remarks and calls on its Member States to “ refrain from racist hate speech “.
” The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, strongly condemns the shocking statements made by the Tunisian authorities against fellow Africans which go against the letter and the spirit of our organization and our founding principles. The President reminds all countries, in particular Member States of the Union, that they must honor their obligations under international law and the relevant instruments of the African Union, namely to treat all migrants with dignity, wherever they come from, refrain from hateful and racist speech likely to harm people, and prioritize their safety and fundamental rights. Finally, the President reiterates the committee’s commitment to support the Tunisian authorities in resolving migration problems in their country, in order to make migration safe, dignified and regular. “, can we read in the press release of the African Union Commission.
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