The African Union Condemns Tunisia's Anti-Sub-Saharan African Rhetoric

 

Racism directed at Sub-Saharan Africans has been a longtime issue in North Africa. Tunisia has come under pressure from the statements by President Kais Saied stated that the presence of migrants was designed to change the demographics of Tunisia. The xenophobic statements are an example of scapegoating a group for a country's problems. Tunisia has failed to provide economic stability and efficient government to the average Tunisian. The Arab Spring did not bring freedom, but authoritarianism in another form. Migrants are set to be removed from Tunisia. President Saied is using fear and hate to increase dictatorial power.  He was quoted as saying " the undeclared waves of illegal immigration is to consider Tunisia a purely African country that has no affiliation with Arab or Islamic nations." Tunisia is an African country that has Arabs, Muslims, Afro-Arabs, and Amazigh. There are small populations of Jews and Christians. The country is more diverse than Kais Saied presents it. The estimated number of migrants is 21,000. Considering the population is 12 million, migrants do not pose the demographic threat  espoused by President Kais Saied. Human rights groups in Tunisia continue to oppose the government and its policies. The sudden shift comes as the population grows more frustrated with corrupt leadership. Migrants are a distraction from the government's failures and mismanagement.  

President Kias Saied and The Crisis in Tunisia

 

President Kias Saied has suspended parliament. Saied was elected as an independent who vowed to challenge political corruption in Tunisia. The major source of contention was control of the security forces.  The security forces were what kept the authoritarian structure functioning . Disagreements and political factionalism are dividing the country. Saied decided to remove the prime minister and invoke emergency powers. Tunisia experiment with an accountable and democratic government may be coming to an end. Some speculate that what occurred in Tunisia around 2010 was nothing more than a regime change. Since the fall of Zine Abidine Ben Ali Tunisia has struggled to maintain stability. A stagnant economy and problems from a global pandemic only made conditions worse. Demonstrations are growing through out the country. While President Saied still maintains support, it remains in question how much  popularity  the Ennahda Party. Tunisia was suppose to be a model of democratic transition. The narrative of the Arab Spring as being a revolutionary movement does appear to be an accurate assessment. President Kias Saied could become like former leaders of Tunisia. North Africa continues to deal with the fall out from the uprisings that happened ten years ago. Algeria, Libya, and Egypt have similar difficulties. The use of emergency powers in Tunisia could be used against political opposition.  

The Tunisian Elections (2014)

It was 2014 when Tunisia declared its first truly free and fair election. President Zine El Abidine  Ben Ali had been removed from office due what would be know as the Arab Spring uprisings that swept across North Africa and the Middle East. This video from five years ago reports on the polls by Euronews. Beji Caid Essebsi became Tunisia's next president, but his association with the former administration drew criticism. He served as parliament speaker under the Ben Ali administration and some feared that the authoritarian tendencies would reemerge. Like most North African countries the new political transitions did not bring about more freedoms or improved living standards. Moncef Marzouk of the Congress of the Republic party ran against him claiming human rights would be under threat. Beji Caid Essebsi 's rule was not long when he passed  away at the age of 92 in 2019. The concern about electing older leaders is that their health may effect their capacity to govern. Sudden deaths could put the country in turmoil and peaceful transitions may not be possible. The Nidaa Tounes party has to figure out its political vision without their leader. Tunisia faces a bigger challenge of being next to two countries Libya and Algeria which are also dealing with political crisis and insurrection. Essebi's legacy is already being mythologized for the sake of make it seem as if the 2011 revolution promoted progress. It is too early to make such a proclamation, however the next administration will have to confront security and economic problems.