Demonstrators in Tunis protesting against racism and against President Saied's latest comments about the urgency to tackle illegal immigration in the country, on February 25, 2023.
-OpEd-
DAKAR — Habib Bourguiba led Tunisia to independence from France and led the country for over 30 years. The continent remembers Bourguiba the African, and the title of Supreme Fighter was awarded to him posthumously by the Mandela Institute in 2017.
The father of independence had time to embrace the African and Mediterranean dimension of his country and assimilate the three isms (pan-Africanism, pan-Arabism, and pan-Islamism) that constitute the Tunisian identity.
But the difference between Habib Bourguiba and the country's current President Kaci Saïed could not be more stark.
From Africanist to populist
Unlike Bourguiba the Africanist, Kais Saied was propelled to power by the populism of a drifting post-revolutionary Tunisia before locking down institutions in his favor by suspending parliament in July 2021.
Saied rose to the top of the hierarchy by exalting nationalism. The “hordes of illegal migrants" in his view with a "criminal plan" that wanted to "modify the demographic composition" of the country and breaking its "Arab-Islamic belonging".
The new strongman has awakened the basest instincts of the crowd by pulling on the rope of racism.
Democracy drowning in tyranny
The anti-black pogrom taking place in Tunisia today demands a structured response from the African Union. Beyond the mobilization of funds for repatriation, African countries must engage in a profound introspection on the usefulness of an organization that, 60 years after its creation, does not allow citizens to enjoy the freedom to move and settle wherever they want.
It's a prime example of the tyranny of a pseudo-majority.
Who would have thought that this country long considered stable and good for investment would see its fortunes shift so much?
Today's Tunisia shows the world a prime example of the tyranny of a pseudo-majority (a turnout of 88% was recorded in the last legislative elections) the outright absence of intellectual freedom.
Tunisian President Kais Saied on his inauguration day as President of the Republic of Tunisia on October 23 2019
Arab Spring legacy
In reality, behind the president's discourse is the tragic failure of a revolution based on just moral principles and legitimate economic frustrations. Let's dare to say it, the Arab Spring shattered the foundations of the Tunisian administration and vilified its social achievements.
With its current disdain for black people, it's easy to forget that this country abolished slavery in 1841, well before France.
Beyond the indignant reactions, beyond Europe's silence, which outsources its anti-migrant phobia to the southern shore of the Mediterranean, this unfortunate Tunisian situation should prompt the African Union to act.
We have had enough of signed but unimplemented treaties.
- Tunisia, Where The Arab Spring Blossomed And Democracy Now Withers ›
- Tunisia's Drift From Democratic Revolution To Authoritarianism ›
- Another World Leader Stokes Racist Fears Of Immigration — In Tunisia ›
