Tunisian President Kais Saied asserted on February 21, 2023 that the presence in Tunisia of illegal immigrants from sub-Saharan African countries was a source of “violence and crime” and was part of a “criminal enterprise” aimed at” change the “demographic composition” of the country. Following his remarks, some West African countries have begun repatriating their nationals from Tunisia.

300 Ivorians and Malians began to be repatriated on Saturday, March 4, 2023 from Tunisia to escape the attacks and hostility they have suffered after a violent speech by the president against irregular sub-Saharan migrants. Noted that the president's speech was condemned by NGOs as “racist and hateful.” This caused an outcry in Tunisia, where sub-Saharan Africans have since reported an increase in attacks against them and have rushed by dozens to their embassies to be repatriated.