In a bold and resolute statement on Sunday, 6 April 2025, Tunisian President Kais Saïed reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to national sovereignty, particularly concerning the issue of Tunisian migrants. Speaking in Monastir during the ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the death of historic leader Habib Bourguiba, Saïed firmly rejected any form of external pressure aimed at forcing Tunisia to accept repatriation agreements for its citizens living abroad.
The President emphasised that, contrary to certain media reports, Tunisia has not signed any new agreements with foreign countries regarding the forced return of its migrants. He clarified that the only such agreements date back to 2008 and 2011 and were signed under duress, amid what he described as “impositions” from certain foreign powers.
This firm stance comes amid a tense context, as the debate surrounding migration and readmission agreements between Europe and countries of migrant origin—including Tunisia—has intensified. In recent months, several reports have suggested ongoing discussions between European nations and Tunisia regarding the return of undocumented Tunisian migrants, raising concerns among human rights advocates and political figures within Tunisia.
In a particularly pointed remark, President Saïed strongly condemned the reported use of tranquilising substances on Tunisian migrants being deported from some countries. He made it clear that Tunisia utterly rejects such inhumane practices, stressing that “injecting tranquilising drugs into our citizens without their consent is a blatant violation of their dignity, bodily integrity, and basic human rights.” He insisted that Tunisia will never accept the forced sedation of its nationals under any pretext and demanded respect for the physical and psychological well-being of all Tunisian citizens abroad.
In his address, Saïed reaffirmed Tunisia’s steadfast position on sovereignty, underscoring that the right of Tunisians to move freely and live with dignity is non-negotiable. “National sovereignty is not up for bargaining,” he declared, asserting that Tunisia will not yield to any foreign pressure that undermines the dignity of its people.
He also paid tribute to the legacy of Habib Bourguiba, the founding father of the Tunisian Republic, noting that Tunisia remains true to the values of independence and sovereign decision-making established by its first president. According to Saïed, Bourguiba laid the foundation for these principles, and “today’s generation carries this torch forward without compromise.”
This declaration, therefore, stands not only as a defence of Tunisian migrants’ right to live with dignity, but also as a reaffirmation of a core national principle: that Tunisia, as a sovereign state, will accept no interference in its domestic affairs. As the debate over migration and bilateral agreements with Europe continues, President Saïed’s position signals a strong intent to uphold national sovereignty and protect the fundamental rights of the Tunisian people—an ideal that appears to be central to his current foreign policy stance.
In conclusion, Kais Saïed’s speech marks a significant turning point in Tunisia’s positioning on the international stage regarding migration. It delivers a clear message: Tunisia will not bow to international pressure, will not tolerate abuses against its citizens abroad, and its future will be shaped by its own decisions, in full respect of its sovereignty and the dignity of its people.
