Families of Tunisia opposition say EU migration deal will only bolster 'authoritarian' regime of Kais Saied

Families of jailed Tunisian opposition politicians on Monday dismissed an aid package offered to Tunis by the European Union as "shortsighted and counterproductive", warning the money would not help the north African country stop migration.

Speaking at a press conference with other children of jailed figures in the Hague, Yusra Ghannouchi, the daughter of jailed opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi, said the deals the EU is making with the government of President Kais Saied would only serve to prop up his regime, which she accused of human rights violations.

"Kais Saied has created these problems. It is the state of multiple crises and despair in Tunisia that is feeding migrations," she said.

Saied shut down parliament, dismissed the government in July 2021 and moved to rule by decree, saying the moves were needed to save the country from corruption. Critics called his actions a coup. In February 2023 he accused some detained opposition politicians and critics of being responsible for price increases and food shortages, and of wanting to fuel a social crisis.

Happening now! #Tunisia's @TheKaouther @yusraghkh @MAzizAkremi Elyes Chaouachi are speaking in The Hague.

Join us on Zoom https://t.co/QvxNnBUV6n

Watch the event in Arabic language on https://t.co/b6S1JYCDPE pic.twitter.com/vlopKfyWoG

— Tunisians Against The Coup (@TunisiaCoup) June 26, 2023

The EU this month offered Tunisia a 105-million-euros package to help it tackle a big rise in migrant departures, develop its battered economy and rescue state finances.

The departures soared after Saied announced a crackdown on sub-Saharan migrants in February, using language the African Union denounced as racialised.

The families of jailed opposition figures also called on the International Criminal Court to look into alleged widespread human rights abuses in Tunisia which is a member of the court.

Earlier this year a crackdown by Tunisian judges detained more than 20 political, judicial, media and business figures with opposition ties. Many were jailed and accused of plotting against state security.

(Reuters)