Tunisian President Kais Saied has recently come under fire for his comments on Black African refugees and migrants, which have been widely condemned as racist and xenophobic. Saied suggested that there was a plot to replace Tunisia’s Arab and Islamic identity by bringing people from other countries into the region.
The comments have sparked a debate about how African refugees and migrants are treated in North Africa. To shed light on the issue, we spoke to two experts: Amine Snoussi, a Tunisia and North Africa specialist, and Safaa Kasraoui, the chief of staff at Morocco World News.
Snoussi explained that the treatment of African refugees and migrants in North Africa is often determined by their country of origin. “In Tunisia, for example, people from sub-Saharan African countries are often treated differently than those from North African countries,” he said. “There is a perception that those from sub-Saharan African countries are more likely to be involved in criminal activities.”
Kasraoui agreed, noting that there is a general lack of understanding and acceptance of African refugees and migrants in North Africa. “There is a lot of fear and mistrust of these people,” she said. “They are seen as a threat to national security and as a burden on the economy.”
Both Snoussi and Kasraoui noted that the situation is further complicated by the fact that many African refugees and migrants are attempting to make the dangerous journey to Europe. “There is a lot of pressure on North African countries to prevent these people from crossing into Europe,” said Snoussi. “This has led to an increase in xenophobia and racism towards African refugees and migrants.”
Kasraoui added that the situation is further exacerbated by the fact that many African refugees and migrants are not given access to basic services such as healthcare and education. “This lack of access to basic services makes them even more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse,” she said.
In conclusion, it is clear that African refugees and migrants in North Africa face a number of challenges, including racism, xenophobia, and lack of access to basic services. It is essential that governments in the region take steps to ensure that these people are treated with dignity and respect.