Tunisia’s regime, under the rule of Kais Saied, has been indulging in a xenophobic discourse blaming migrants for the country’s economic woes, as more Tunisians engage in clashes with migrants in different cities. In recent days, the government has intensified its crackdown arresting and throwing thousands of migrants in inhumane conditions on the borders with Algeria and Libya. President Saied, who warned of “great replacement” of Tunisians by Sub-Saharans, continues his hate speech spree saying traitors are conspiring to drown Tunisia with migrants. Mimicking him, Tunisian leaders and some media figures have been encouraging civilian Tunisians to join the witch hunt against Sub-Saharan migrants bound for Europe and most of whom qualify for refugee status. Tunisia is mired in an economic and financial crisis worsened by the backpedaling to autocracy as president Kais Saied intensifies his crackdown on critics, while picking migrants as scapegoats.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 13, 2024 17:34 UTC