By Ruth Yeabu Sesay
The Embassy of Sierra Leone in Cairo (Egypt) has in a press release called on the Tunisian Government to look into allegations of maltreatment of a number of Sierra Leonean nationals in the North African country.
The news of ill-treatment came to the notice of the Sierra Leonean embassy after a press release to clamp down on illegal migrants was issued by the state of Tunisia, in response to President Kais Saied’s statement last week that if illegal migration continues it has the potential to change the demography of Tunisia.
The Sierra Leone Embassy acknowledges that Tunisia desires to continue and encourage the legal movement of people in Africa and the International community yet, the problem of irregular immigration poses a threat to the security of Tunisia which prompted the need for laws to be enforced in order to tackle it.
The embassy in Cairo has reportedly held talks with the Tunisian authorities through their Embassy in Egypt and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Tunisian office and efforts were being made to ensure that the rights of Sierra Leoneans in Tunisia are restored.
While both parties are working on restoring the rights of Sierra Leoneans, those residing there have been encouraged to comply with Tunisia’s laws on immigration and to stay away from places prone to intimidation and escalation of tension.
The notice states that the embassy will continue to raise awareness and educate citizens on illegal migration, its forms, and ramifications, at the same time protecting the vulnerable Sierra Leonean population from being victims of dangerous illegal migration adventures.
In conclusion, the Embassy in Cairo stated that it will keep the public updated on all relevant developments on the matter.
President Saied had on the 21st February 2023 said: ’’There is a criminal plan to change the composition of the demographic landscape in Tunisia and some individuals have received large sums of money to give residence to sub-Saharan migrants’’. His comments caused quite a stir within and outside of the country.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (03/03/23)
