APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The African Union has issued a strongly-worded statement criticising ‘racialised comments’ made by Tunisia’s leadership berating African migrants, dismissing them as hate-speech.
Tunisian President Kais Saied had claimed that sub-Saharan migrants in his country are trying to change its demographic nature from Arab to black African and that this was not acceptable in the small North African country.
Tunisia is a founding member of the African Union, which has since taken exception to Saied’s remarks and summoned the leading Tunisian diplomat in Addis Ababa over the issue.
”The Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat strongly condemns the shocking statement issued by Tunisian authorities targeting fellow Africans which go against the letter and spirit of our Organization and founding principles” a statement from his spokesperson said.
The AUC’s Deputy Chairperson Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa and the AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Amb Minata Samate, summoned Tunisia’s chief diplomat to the African Union for consultations over the remarks.
The AU officials registered the organisation’s ”deep shock and concern at the form and substance of the statement targeting fellow Africans, notwithstanding their legal status in the country”.
The AUC statement reminded countries, especially its member states, ”to honor their obligations under international law and relevant instruments to treat all migrants with dignity, wherever they come from, refrain from racialised hate speech that could bring people to harm, and prioritize their safety and human rights”.
The commission reiterated its commitment to support Tunisia in its drive to deal with the challenges posed by the presence of migrants with a view to rendering migration safe, dignified and regular.
WN/as/APA