The President of the Republic, Kais Saied, received Monday at the Palais de Carthage the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (OIM), Amy Pope. During this interview, the head of state firmly reiterated the position of his country: Tunisia cannot become a crossing point or a place of installation for migrants in an irregular situation.
President Saied denounced a migratory dynamic which he deems far from being fortuitous, evoking the existence of criminal networks involved in the trafficking of human beings and organ trafficking, operating both on the African continent and on the north shore of the Mediterranean.
He warned of what he considers a “criminal plan”, stressing that it is unthinkable that thousands of people-women, young children, pregnant women-travel from long distances to Tunisia, especially towards the cities of Jebeniana and Al-Amra, without a organized device at work.
On the security level, Kais Saied insisted on respect for national sovereignty, affirming that no state can tolerate only part of its territory escapes its legislation. He defended the evacuation of irregular migrant camps by ensuring that it was carried out in respect for humanitarian law, but also according to ethical and moral principles.
The president also stressed that current migratory flows are the consequences of an unjust global order, of which Tunisia also considers itself a victim. He reaffirmed the country’s attachment to his African identity and declared that “Africa, land of wealth, must remain the land of Africans”.
Calling the IOM to intensify its efforts, Kais Saied pleaded for concrete support to the voluntary return of migrants to their countries of origin, by insisting on the need for financial support for their safe reintegration. He also urged the UN organization to collaborate with all the parties concerned in order to determine the fate of the missing people, at sea or on land.
“Tunisia did what it could with its own means. It has brought heavy burdens, but this situation can no longer last, “he said, calling for a new global humanitarian order which breaks with the logics of looting, famine and conflicts.
For her part, Amy Pope declared himself “very happy” of his meeting with the Tunisian president. She recognized that the question of irregular migration represents a major concern for the international community, and indicated that common avenues have been mentioned to facilitate the voluntary return of migrants, while ensuring a dignified and sustainable future in their countries of origin.
