Attacks on migrants in Tunisia: hundreds of Ivorians apply for repatriation
Ivorians waiting outside their country's embassy in Tunisia on February 27, 2023 in Tunis.
[Illustrative image] REUTERS - JIHED ABIDELLAOUI
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3 mins
Ten days after Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed's remarks on migrants and a wave of attacks against sub-Saharan nationals in Tunisia, more and more Ivorians are applying for repatriation to their country.
Report in front of the Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire, this Thursday, March 2, 2023.
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With our correspondent in Tunis,
Lilia Blaise
In Tunisia, hundreds of Ivorians arrive every day in front of their embassy to apply for voluntary repatriation.
Since the call from their chancellery on February 24, 2023 to register Ivorians wishing to return to their country, the Ivorian government has also announced the release, on March 1, of one billion CFA francs (1.5 million euros) to also grant a nest egg to 500 nationals identified for voluntary return and thus facilitate their reintegration into the country according to the spokesperson for the Ivorian government.
The arrival date of the first plane has not yet been given.
► To read also L'Invité Afrique - Moncef Marzouki: "Kaïs Saïed's statements have damaged Tunisia's image on the continent"
Nevertheless, in front of the Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire, this March 2, 2023, the crowd is still gathering at the entrance.
Laurent Cédric, 33, came, hoping to be able to go home soon.
“
We are there in relation to the consular card, in fact in relation to the situation in Tunisia
, he explains.
We are driven out of our house, we can no longer work.
The Tunisian president asks us to go home.
There is a problem of racism, in fact.
That's what we're here for, to register with us
.
"If they tell me
'
go to your country
', it's not a game"
The Ivorian government has announced the sending of planes and financial assistance for those who return voluntarily.
“
Thank God, the president
[ivoirien Alassane Ouattara, Ndlr]
still has a project for us, for a small compensation
”, continues Cédric.
Magui, 35, is ready for the start.
"
I don't want to stay here in Tunisia any longer
," he says.
I am ready to go to my country.
Because if they tell me
'
go to your country
', it's not a game… We came to look for each other but we were told it's impossible, so we want to go home
”.
► See also In a tense context, some Tunisians come to the aid of sub-Saharan migrants
Joachim has found a solution to his housing problem and wants to stay.
“I was chased into a first house.
And the second house, the guy picked me up and took me to the town hall
, he says.
We made a statement.
He told me that I can stay and we'll see for the next few days.
So, for the moment, I believe that I am there
”.
Five hundred Ivorians should be repatriated according to the first announcements of the Ivorian government.
Tunisia has nearly 7,000 Ivorian nationals according to the National Institute of Statistics.
► Read also Tunisia: the embassy of Côte d'Ivoire comes to the aid of its nationals
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