On Saturday, more than a hundred Ivorians left Tunisia and arrived in their country. The State supported their repatriation from Tunis to Abidjan in the premises of the National Institute of Youth and Sports (INJS).
“I left everything except this guitar, which I only take as a souvenir,” says Thierry Niambré. He is one of the migrants being housed and cared for by the Ivorian authorities.
Thierry Niambré and his compatriots have decided to return to Côte d’Ivoire following the Tunisian president’s remarks on the illegal immigration of sub-Saharans, which is allegedly motivated by a plot whose aim is to replace the local population.
Although being in a regular situation for 4 years in Tunisia, preferred to join his country, Côte d’Ivoire.
“I was a music teacher since I had an academy there. I trained people to play piano, guitar, drums,” he explains.
He claims to have abandoned his musical instruments.
“I gave up everything. Life is better than anything,” he insists. Thierry Niambré has only kept his guitar, which he continues to strum while waiting for the savings that the Ivorian authorities must give them.
In the shade of tarpaulins and trees, dozens of former Tunisian immigrants wait patiently to receive the 160,000 CFA francs which allow them to return to their families. The social services support them for professional projects.
Charlotte Tiboté spent eight years in Tunisia.
These returnees also received psychological support, but also follow-up to enable them to build a life. Children of school age will be educated according to Gilberte B. Aïdara, director of social action at the Ivorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a bright room at the INJS Charlotte Tiboté, patient with her little boy, happily rolls a noisy toy he has just received in front of him.
“There are also people who are currently in prison. Donors have dislodged some. They don’t have anywhere to sleep,” says the woman who lived in Tunisia for 8 years.
“People were passing through the home to attack,” she adds.
Yao Ruth is one of 45 women repatriated to Côte d’Ivoire. Mother of a four-month-old baby, she says she is relieved at the idea of finding her family.
“Today, I can say that really, I’m happy to go home. Even in a dream, I don’t even think of going back to Tunisia now,” she says.
She remains affected by the insults and other provocations to which sub-Saharan migrants have been subjected following President Saïed’s statement.
“We were treated like monkeys and that we were there to invade and replace them,” says Charlotte. She thinks she wants to go into business.
According to AFP, Côte d’Ivoire’s ambassador to Tunis informed that nearly “800 other Ivorians are also waiting to leave the North African country. »
The World Bank has decided to suspend its partnership framework with Tunisia following statements by the Tunisian Head of State on migrants from African countries and the racist harassment and violence that followed.
The United States also says it is deeply concerned by President Saied’s remarks. State Department spokesman Ned Price on Monday (March 6) urged Tunisian authorities to uphold their obligations to protect the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants.