March 6 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The President of Tunisia, Kais Saied, has announced measures in favor of students and sub-Saharan migrants, after rejecting the “accusations” of racism generated after a speech he delivered against illegal migrants.
“Tunisia expresses its astonishment at this well-known campaign related to the alleged racism in Tunisia, rejects this accusation”, reads a statement from the Tunisian Presidency, in which it emphasizes that this country was one of the founders of the Organization for Unity Africana, predecessor of the African Union, and “supported all national liberation movements, particularly (…) those in Africa.”
After that, Saied has announced a series of measures for foreigners, which include one-year residence permits for students, extension of residence arrival from three months to six months, facilitation of voluntary departures, exemption from payment of late fees.
Likewise, it has announced an improvement in the information and psycho-sanitary assistance for those migrants and refugees who arrive in Tunisia. It has also indicated that the authorities will intensify surveillance campaigns in order to prevent human trafficking and the exploitation of migrants.
Saied advocated two weeks ago for the need to “put an end” to the illegal migration of sub-Saharan Africans, stating that they “continue with violence, crimes and unacceptable practices.”
The Tunisian president pointed out that there is a phenomenon of human trafficking that must stop, for which he urged work to be carried out at the diplomatic, security and military levels to put an end to the situation”, which he described as “abnormal”.
The African Union expressed “deep shock and concern at the form and substance” of Saied’s comments, as governments in sub-Saharan Africa scrambled to organize the repatriation of hundreds of fearful citizens who flocked to their embassies seeking aid.
