Tunis, 9 March 2023 (TDI): Tunisian President Kais Saied met with the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who is also President of the Economic Community of West Africa (EOWAS), on Tuesday.
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Tunisian President warmly welcomed President Sissoco Embaló at Carthage Palace and discussed collective challenges and ongoing migration issues.
During the meeting, President Kais Saied also indicated that some parties sought to promote misleading and false propaganda against Tunisia that it turned into a racist country and hate Sub-Saharan Africans, and does not welcome them into their country.
He stressed that these rumors are false and unfounded, and he also urged that we all are equal before the law.
In response, the President of Guinea-Bissau affirmed that the issue regarding racism against Sub-Saharan Africans was taken out of context and misunderstood by some.
He also added that Tunisia hosts many members of Sub-Saharan communities, and cannot be a racist country which is the republic that the late leader founded. Habib Bourguiba believed in equality and prosperity.
Guinean President also expressed his certainty that President Kais Saied is not a racist because this phenomenon can be discussed in countries other than Tunisia.
Furthermore, President Sissoco Embaló also enquired about the Guinea-Bissau migrants, who wanted to return to the country.
Tunisian President also directed its authorities that people who are legally in Tunisia should be reassured that nobody should harm them.
In late February President Kais remarked that illegal migrants are increasing the violence in the country, and suggested its authority to crack down against them.
He also added that the migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa were part of a conspiracy to turn Tunisia into “a purely African country with no affiliation to the Arab and Islamic nations.”
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Upon his remarks, criticism lashed out by some groups and twisted it as racism against Sub-Saharan Africans. In response, President Kais denied the allegation of racism and said, “There is no question of allowing anyone in an illegal situation to stay in Tunisia.”
He also urged the authorities to protect the foreigner and students, especially from Sub-Saharan Countries.
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