(TAP) - African students gathered Sunday afternoon in front of the Municipal Theatre at the Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis, to denounce the aggressions against them in Tunisia.

They were dozens of protesters who shouted slogans denouncing violence and racism and calling on Tunisia to protect them.

This protest was staged in reaction to the attack on Saturday against three Congolese students (two girls and a boy). The two girls were wounded in a knife attack in the city centre at the Place de la République (better known as Le Passage). They were admitted to the Charles Nicole Hospital in Tunis. Their compatriot who intervened to defend them was wounded in the arm.

According to media and electronic sites, the aggressor was a Tunisian youth repatriated from France. He allegedly committed racist acts against Black Africans residing in France. A security source told TAP that the aggressor was arrested and placed in custody and investigation is underway.

The Secretary General of the Association of Foreign African Students in Tunisia said that this peaceful protest aims to denounce a situation suffered by African students for years.

"We have for long filed complaints in police stations about recurring cases of discrimination and violence suffered without ever having an answer," he said. "There have even been cases of death," he said.

We decided today through this gathering to tell the media what African students are undergoing and ask the government to ensure our protection and guarantee our rights. If our security is not guaranteed, we will be obliged to go home, he warned.