Members of a delegation of the African Union Commission welcomed after a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Tunisians Abroad Nabil Ammar Thursday the recent measures taken by Tunisia in the field of migration.
They commended Tunisia’s “leading and historic role in the field of freedoms and democracy in Africa and its opposition to all forms of discrimination and racism,” according to a statement from the Ministry.
The delegation members underscored the Commission’s willingness to accompany Tunisia in its efforts to address the phenomenon of migration within the framework of the organisation’s strategy based on a collective approach that enables the member States of the Union to develop national policies and institutional mechanisms to address irregular migration in full respect of the requirements of international and African treaties and in line with African Union Agenda 2063.
They said that their visit to Tunisia comes with the personal interest of the Chairperson of the Commission, Musa Fakih Mohamed, and in the spirit of solidarity that had always characterized the African Union’s relationship with Tunisia and the organisation’s willingness to engage with the Tunisian authorities and to learn about the situation.
For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Tunisians Abroad thanked the African Union Commission’s initiative to visit Tunisia in the framework of ongoing cooperation and consultation between our country and the continental organisation.
The Minister also presented the backgrounds of the campaign related to migration and the situation of the African communities residing in Tunisia «which were based on fallacy and exaggeration and did not reflect the true image of Tunisia and its position in Africa.»
He also went through the recent procedures taken by the Tunisian authorities regarding irregular migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.
He reaffirmed Tunisia’s approach in that regard and called for the issue of migration in Africa to be addressed as a global and comprehensive phenomenon that goes beyond the African continent and requires comprehensive treatment within the framework of international and regional solidarity.
The high-level delegation of the African Union Commission was made up of Mrs. SEMATE CESSOUMA, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Health and Social Development, and Mr. BANKOLE ADEOYE OYE, Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse