With our correspondent in Tunis, Lilia Blaise
In Tunisia, hundreds of Ivorians arrive every day in front of their embassy to apply for voluntary repatriation. Since the call from their chancellery on February 24, 2023 to register Ivorians wishing to return to their country, the Ivorian government has also announced the release, on March 1, 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.
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Nevertheless, in front of the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire, this March 2, 2023, the crowd is still gathering at the entrance. Laurent Cédric, 33, came, hoping to be able to go home soon. ” We are there in relation to the consular card, in fact in relation to the situation in Tunisiahe explains. We are driven out of our house, we can no longer work. The Tunisian president asks us to go home. There is a problem of racism, in fact. That’s what we’re here for, to check in with us ».
« Si on me dit “go to your country“It’s not a game”
The Ivorian government has announced the sending of planes and financial assistance for those who return voluntarily. ” thank goodness the president [ivoirien Alassane Ouattara, Ndlr] has a project anyway for us, for a small compensation “, continues Cédric.
Magui, 35, is ready for the start. ” I don’t want to stay here in Tunisia anymorehe blurts out. I am ready to go to my country. Because if someone tells me “go to your country“, it’s not a game… We came to look for each other but we were told it’s impossible, so we want to go home ».
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Joachim has found a solution to his housing problem and wants to stay. “I was chased into a first house. And the second house, the guy picked me up and took me to the town hallhe says. We made a statement. He told me that I can stay and we’ll see for the next few days. So for now I believe I’m here ».
Five hundred Ivorians should be repatriated according to the first announcements of the Ivorian government. Tunisia has nearly 7,000 Ivorian nationals according to the National Institute of Statistics.
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