Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed, known for his biased remarks about sub-Saharan migrants, did not call for calm among his fellow citizens. Indeed, according to a statement by the Tunisian Presidency on Friday, July 07, 2023, Mr Saïed said that his country did not accept that “those who do not respect its laws, reside on its territory, or whether Tunisia is a country of transit (to Europe) or a land of resettlement for the citizens of certain African countries.”
He believes that “criminal networks” are hiding behind illegal immigration and their only goal is to disturb “social peace in Tunisia”.
«Sources of violence and crimes»
Last February, the president was already attacking sub-Saharan illegal migrants at a meeting of his country’s Security Council. In addition to being sources of “violence and crime”, these “illegal immigrants” would seek, he said, “to change the demographic composition of Tunisia” to make it an “African country”.
His remarks had been condemned by the African Union and several organizations defending migrants. Obviously, the man’s opinion on migrants has not changed. He is careful not to call his compatriots to calm, thus exacerbating tensions.
