(TAP) - The accusations of racism falsely levelled against Tunisia, harm the image and interests of the country," said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, Nabil Ammar.

He was speaking at a press conference held on Monday at the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in the presence of representatives of the Interior, Social Affairs and Higher Education departments, to express Tunisia's position on these accusations.

Tunisia, a founding member of the African Union, cannot be accused of racism, he said, adding that the measures taken by the Tunisian authorities are part of the fight against irregular migration.

These accusations are part of a campaign "whose sources are well known" aimed at damaging the country's image within regional and international authorities, he said.

In addition, the Minister of Foreign Affairs denied the information relayed on social media about the suspension of trade activities between Tunisia and some African countries because of this campaign as well as calls to boycott Tunisian products in sub-Saharan African countries.

For his part, Director General of the Directorate of Borders and Foreigners under the Ministry of the Interior, Imad Zoghlami, stressed that Tunisia has not carried out any forced repatriation of irregular sub-Saharan migrants.

The services of the ministries concerned are working to facilitate the procedures for the voluntary return of sub-Saharans to their country of origin, he explained.

These operations have helped 97 Guineans, 135 Malians and 150 Ivorians to return to their country, he said.

In a statement issued on Sunday evening, the Presidency of the Republic said it categorically rejects the accusations of racism made against it and announced a series of measures to facilitate procedures for foreigners residing in Tunisia.

These include extending the residence permit from three to six months, exempting the African brothers from the payment of late penalties imposed on expatriates who have overstayed, within the framework of voluntary return, and facilitating voluntary departures for those who wish to do so within an organised framework and in prior coordination with the embassies and diplomatic missions of African countries in Tunisia.

President of the Republic, Kaïs Saïed, called, during the meeting of the National Security Council held on February 21, for urgent measures to fight against the massive influx of irregular migrants.

The statements of the Head of State at this meeting were considered "racist" by components of civil society and political parties. The latter consider that the Head of State's remarks incite against sub-Saharan nationals established in Tunisia and harm Tunisia's position in African authorities.

for its part, the African Union condemned the "shocking" statements, calling on member countries to "refrain from any hate speech of a racist nature".

During a meeting at the end of February at the department's headquarters with ambassadors of African countries accredited to Tunis, Nabil Ammar stressed the commitment of the Tunisian authorities to protect foreigners of different nationalities established on its soil and to fight against irregular migration, in compliance with international and African legislation and treaties, without stigmatisation or generalisation.

Regular migration is a lever for development, wealth and diversity, he said, highlighting Tunisia's readiness to continue to encourage the legal movement of people within the African space and in the rest of the world.