The World Bank has paused talks on future engagement with Tunisia after anti-immigrant comments made by the country’s president, Kais Saied, according to an internal message to World Bank staff seen by AFP.
In a message sent on Sunday afternoon, the outgoing president of the bank David Malpass said Saied’s tirade has triggered “racially motivated harassment and even violence,” and the institution has postponed the planned meeting involving Tunisia until further notice.
“Given these circumstances, management has decided to pause the state partnership framework and withdraw it from board review,” Malpass said in a note to staff.
AFP understands that ongoing projects will continue and funded projects remain funded.
Hundreds of migrants have returned home from Tunisia, fearing a wave of violence since the president’s remarks.
Last month, Saied ordered officials to take “important steps” to tackle irregular migration, admitting without evidence that a “criminal conspiracy” was at work to change Tunisia’s demographic makeup.
They claim that migrants are behind the most criminals in the North African country, leading to dismissals, deportations and attacks.
‘Unacceptable’
“Public comments that incite discrimination, aggression and racist violence are completely unacceptable,” Malpass said in a note to World Bank staff.
But he also noted that the measures announced by the Tunisian government to protect and support migrants and refugees marked a “positive step”, adding that the bank would carefully assess and monitor its impact.
The development lender will implement additional security measures for its staff in the field, and may take further action if necessary, he said.
The African Union expressed “shock and concern” at Saied’s remarks, and governments in sub-Saharan Africa have struggled to bring in hundreds of terrified nationals who have come to embassies for help.
The US is “deeply concerned” by Saied’s comments, state department spokesman Ned Price said.
“These remarks do not match Tunisia’s long history of generosity and hosting and protecting refugees, asylum seekers and migrants,” he said.
“We call on the Tunisian authorities to fulfill their obligations under international law to protect the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants,” he said.
He also called on the Tunisian authorities to facilitate the “safe, dignified and voluntary” return of migrants who wish to travel to their country of origin.
Since the president’s speech on February 21, rights groups have reported an increase in vigilante violence, including stabbings targeting African migrants.
“We condemn without reservation and all statements that are xenophobic, that are racist, that are intended to increase racial hatred,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, on Monday.
According to official figures, there are around 21 000 undocumented migrants from other parts of Africa in Tunisia, which is home to around 12 million people.
Many African migrants in the country lost their jobs and homes overnight.
The embassies of Côte d’Ivoire and Mali are providing emergency accommodation for dozens of residents who have been evicted from their homes, including children.
People living in Tunisia whose countries have no diplomatic representation in the country have set up a makeshift camp outside the Tunis office of the International Organization for Migration.