Tunisian president: Irregular immigration seeks to change nation's demography
Date
2/23/2023 5:04:15 AM
(MENAFN) For years, North African countries such as Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, and Morocco have been a gateway for migrants - mainly from sub-Saharan Africa - to reach Europe in the hopes of a better life. The journey is often perilous, and many migrants have lost their lives attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
In light of the ongoing migrant crisis, Tunisian President Kais Saied has called for an end to the flow of irregular migrants from sub-Saharan Africa to his country, citing concerns about demographic change. He stated that there has been a criminal arrangement in place since the beginning of the century, aiming to alter the demographic composition of Tunisia.
"There are parties that received huge sums of money after 2011 to settle irregular migrants from sub-Saharan Africa in Tunisia," President Saied said during a meeting of the National Security Council. "The undeclared goal of these successive waves of irregular migration is to consider Tunisia a purely African country, with no affiliation to the Arab and Islamic nations."
He went on to clarify that Tunisia is proud of its African affiliation, being one of the founding countries of the Organization of African Unity and supporting many peoples in their struggle for liberation and independence.
Despite being a relatively small country, Tunisia has long been a transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe.
The country has been grappling with an economic crisis, high unemployment rates, and political turmoil since the ousting of its long-time dictator, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, in 2011. This has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused further economic hardship and pushed many people towards irregular migration.
President Saied's comments have sparked debate among Tunisians, with some arguing that the issue is more complex than just demographic concerns. They argue that the country needs to focus on improving its economy and creating job opportunities for its citizens, rather than blaming migrants for its problems.
Nevertheless, President Saied's call for ending the flow of irregular migrants reflects the growing pressure on North African countries to address the ongoing migrant crisis. In recent years, the European Union has increased its efforts to curb irregular migration, including funding agreements with North African countries to strengthen their border controls and support their economic development.
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