Maurice Kamto calls on government to act to save Cameroonians in Tunisia

The national President of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), Maurice Kamto, has expressed his concern for Cameroonians trapped in the xenophobic policy of the Tunisian government.

He called on the government to act urgently to save the lives of Cameroonians in Tunisia, some of whom have already lost their lives under unknown circumstances and others left in distress, reports reveal. “ The government of Cameroon has an obligation to ensure the protection of the lives of Cameroonians within and outside our borders,” he stated.

Maurice Kamto’s appeal comes after reports reveal Cameroonians in Tunisia, are subjected to ill-treatment and clearly racist infringements. The President of Tunisia, Kais Saied, had declared that “illegal immigration into the country is a plot aimed at modifying the demographics of the country so that Tunisia be considered an African country only and not an Arab and Muslim country.” President Saied went on to say that urgent measures needed to be taken at all levels to oust illegal immigrants from the country as they are the people behind illegal activities and crime. These words have provoked violence in the country with most sub-saharan African migrants chased out of their homes and even beaten just for going grocery shopping.

These acts have led embassies of some countries such as Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso to call on their citizens living in Tunisia and wanting to return to their countries, to get in contact with them for a quick and safe return.

Kamto has expressed his sympathy to these compatriots and their families and has declared that migrants are human beings, whose rights beginning with the right to live must be respected and their protection ensured, especially as they are in a state of great vulnerability.