The number of Ivorian nationals applying for repatriation to their country has increased in the past ten days due to remarks made by Tunisian President Kas Saed about migrants and a recent wave of violence against sub-Saharan Africans in Tunisia. This was reported in front of the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday, March 2nd, 2023.
In Tunisia, hundreds of Ivorians arrive every day in front of their embassy to apply for voluntary repatriation.
Since its law firm was ordered on February 24th, 2023 to register Ivory Coast citizens wishing to return to their home country, the Ivory Coast government has also announced an exemption.on March 1st, of one billion CFA francs (1.5 million euros) to also grant a nest egg to 500 nationals identified for voluntary return and thus facilitate their reintegration into the country according to the spokesperson for the Ivorian government. The arrival date of the first plane has not yet been given.
In spite of this, the crowd is still gathering in front of the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire on March 2, 2023. A 33-year-old man, Laurent Cédric, came, hoping that he would be able to return home soon. “We are there in connection with the consular card, actually in connection with the situation in Tunisia,” he explains. Our house has been evicted, and we are no longer able to work. We are asked to return home by the Tunisian president. Racism is a problem, in fact. It is for this reason that we are here, to register with us.”