World Bank Halts Talks with Tunisia over President’s Anti-migrant Remarks

The World Bank is pausing talks over its future engagement with Tunisia following anti-immigrant comments made by the country’s President Kais Saied, according to an internal message to staff seen by AFP.

In the message, David Malpass, the bank’s outgoing president, said that Said’s tirade had fueled “racially motivated harassment and even violence” and that the institution had postponed a planned meeting with Tunisia until further notice. .

“Given the situation, management has decided to pause the Country Partnership Framework and withdraw it from board review,” Malpass said in the note to employees.

AFP understands that ongoing projects will continue and funded projects will remain funded.

Hundreds of migrants have returned home from Tunisia, fearing a wave of violence following the president’s remarks.

Last month, Saied ordered officials to take “urgent measures” to combat irregular migration, claiming without evidence that “a criminal conspiracy” was underway to change Tunisia’s demographic makeup.

He claimed that migrants are behind most of the crime in the North African country, leading to sackings, evictions and attacks.

“Public remarks that promote discrimination, aggression and racist violence are completely unacceptable,” Malpass said in a note to World Bank staff.

But he also said 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.

Malpass said the bank’s work in Tunisia aims to help all people, whether citizens or expatriates.

The development lender will take additional security measures for its staff on the ground, and may take more action if necessary.

The African Union expressed “deep shock and concern” over Sayed’s remarks, and governments in sub-Saharan Africa are scrambling to bring home hundreds of terrified citizens who flock to their embassies for help.

Since the president’s speech on 21 February, rights groups reported an increase in vigilante violence, including stabbings targeting African immigrants.

According to official figures, there are about 21,000 undocumented migrants from other parts of Africa in Tunisia, which is home to some 12 million people.

Many African immigrants to the country lost their jobs and homes overnight.