Yesterday, Tuesday, Tunisian President Kais Said demanded the need to put a quick end to the flow of large numbers of irregular migrants from sub-Saharan Africa into his country, describing the phenomenon as a plot to "change the demographic composition" in the country.

"The undeclared goal of the successive waves of illegal immigration is to consider Tunisia only an African country that has no affiliation to the Arab and Islamic nations," Said said during a meeting of the National Security Council devoted to discussing this issue.

He added that the influx of "hordes of irregular migrants" leads to "violence, crimes and unacceptable practices, in addition to being legally criminal."

He referred to "a criminal scheme that has been prepared since the beginning of this century to change the demographic composition of Tunisia," calling for "work on all diplomatic, security and military levels, and the strict application of the law related to the status of foreigners in Tunisia and to cross the borders by stealth."

Saeed's statements came a few days after more than 20 Tunisian human rights organizations denounced what they described as "hate speech" towards immigrants from sub-Saharan African countries.

For their part, non-governmental organizations called on the Tunisian authorities to address "hate speech, discrimination and racism" on social networks and in some media outlets, accusing some political parties of adopting this discourse and political propaganda with the facilitation of the authorities.

"It is a racist approach similar to campaigns in Europe," said Ramadan Benomar, spokesman for the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights. He added that the presidential campaign aims to create an "imaginary enemy" for Tunisians to "distract them from their basic problems."

Some campaigns on social media have recently urged the authorities to intervene to prevent African migrants from traveling through Tunisia on their way to Europe, or settling in the country as thousands of them do.

This month, the authorities arrested dozens of them who arrived in Tunisia, and they complain of marginalization and social exclusion, and they live under poverty and deprivation of decent work, according to human rights organizations.

It is noteworthy that President Saeed is engaged in an escalating confrontation with his critics who accuse him of a coup after his decision to dissolve parliament and control most of the powers in 2021. This month, the police also arrested several prominent opposition figures.

Tunisia is a major transit point for migrants and refugees seeking to cross the Mediterranean into Europe, including growing numbers of Tunisians themselves and nationals of other African countries.