Tunisia’s Black Community Faces Rising Violence and Discrimination

In February, Tunisian President Kais Saied warned of a plan to change Tunisia’s “demographic make-up,” stating it was aimed at turning the country into “just another African country that doesn’t belong to the Arab and Islamic nations any more.” He attributed this plan to “hordes of irregular migrants from sub-Saharan Africa,” claiming they brought “all the violence, crime, and unacceptable practices that entails.”

This warning, widely criticized as racist by human rights groups and regional and international bodies, appeared to endorse a sentiment that had been growing in Tunisia. It led to the round-up and eviction of Black sub-Saharan Africans from rented properties, prompting African countries to mobilize and repatriate their citizens. Reports indicate mobs have been attacking Black migrants and refugees, forcing their way into homes and using fists, clubs, and machetes.

Approximately 10 to 15 percent of Tunisia’s population is Black, according to the anti-racism campaign group, Mnemty. This group includes descendants of the native Amazigh population, migrants from nearby states, and individuals brought to Tunisia during the country’s participation in the slave trade. Conditions have reportedly deteriorated since President Saied’s initial statement.

Zied Rouin from Mnemty stated that people have lost “all sense of shame over their racism,” feeling empowered to openly express discriminatory views. Black Tunisians feel unprotected, and there is nowhere to complain. Rouin believes the speech has had a long-lasting impact on Tunisian identity, defining it as Arab and Muslim, and labeling anything that differs as suspicious. He noted that many Black Tunisians avoid participating in events defending migrants, emphasizing their Tunisian identity to avoid scrutiny.

Recent attacks on Black refugees and migrants in Sfax and across Tunisia have been described as ferocious and brutal. Many are now enduring extreme heat while seeking assistance from organizations like the International Organization for Migration.

Tunisia criminalized racism in 2018, a first for North Africa and the Arab world. However, the law’s implementation has been limited due to a lack of a central strategy and insufficient police training. Now, with Black people facing attacks, the law’s relevance is questioned, and some Tunisian nationalists are calling for its repeal.

Huda Mzioudet, a Black Tunisian researcher, reports that racism, already present, has become more pronounced. She says Black Tunisians are tired and desire an end to the discrimination. The economic struggles that fueled the 2011 revolution persist, with high unemployment and shortages of subsidized staple foods.

Rouin expressed concern about a potential “purge,” emphasizing that addressing the issue will require significant effort from both the government and society, a process that will take considerable time.