What Will Happen to Tunisians in Ukraine Amid The Growing Military Tension?

With the escalation of serious risks of the war between Russia and Ukraine, fears and anxiety rose among Tunisians living in Ukraine.

Despite being geographically far, Tunisia has good ties with the two countries, and an important number of Tunisians live in Ukraine, with more than a thousand students studying in Ukrainian universities.

However, amid the current crisis between Russia and Ukraine, no one knows what will happen to the Tunisian minority in Ukraine.

After the recognition of the independence of the Ukraine breakaway regions, the Tunisian community in Ukraine fiercely urged Tunisian government to provide Airlines planes to come back home.

 

Tunisian Fears

In his interview with Tunis Africa Press Agency, Tarek Alaoui, the head of the Association of the Tunisian Community in Ukraine, stated on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, that members of the Tunisian community in Ukraine are calling on Tunisian government to provide planes and save them  from the imminent war between Russia and Ukraine.

Alaoui also said that many airlines canceled their flights, and some others reduced the number of their flights to Ukraine, which automatically led to a limited number of tickets.

As a result, many Tunisians were prevented from returning to Tunisia and anxiously stuck in Ukraine.

The head of the association confirmed during the same interview that he had received many calls from Tunisians residing in Ukraine where they complain about not being able to obtain airline tickets.

He pointed out that this situation of anxiety and panic has recently increased, especially after the announcement of Russia's decision to recognize the Ukraine separatist regions which further pushed the two countries to declare war.

Despite the rapidly developing situation, the head of the Association of the Tunisian Community in Ukraine said he is optimistic, and he believed that the next few hours “would give signs of a breakthrough in the crisis raging on the Ukrainian-Russian borders.”

It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Tunisians Abroad, urged, last Sunday, February 20, 2022, members of the Tunisian community residing in Ukraine, especially in tension areas, to “leave these areas to ensure their safety.”

 

On The Line of Crisis

Amid the highly possible war between Russia and Ukraine, the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed in a statement that he is in contact with several members of the Tunisian community in Ukraine through the embassy in Moscow and the Tunisian associations active in the country, and with the Ukrainian authorities that confirmed there is no need to worry.

Ukraine confirmed also that students will normally continue studying in Ukrainian universities, and concerning the flights, the country reassured all the communities that tickets and flights are still available.

According to local media, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that no significant difficulties were registered concerning the situation of the Tunisian community in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, it called on Tunisians to communicate with the embassy in Moscow in order to report the difficulties and the problems they may encounter.

The Ukrainian ambassador to Tunisia, Volodymyr Khomanets, said that he is communicating with the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and there is direct cooperation with his country's authorities, stressing Kiev's pledge to protect all foreign communities, including the Tunisian community there.

However, Rayda Belaaj, a Tunisian Human Rights Activist, told Al-Estiklal that “Tunisian government’s role has turned to blur the reality, our citizens in Ukraine are really afraid of what is happening and what will soon happen, there are no signs of cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs keeps saying that there is no need to be anxious, at a time when the situation is really worrying.

“I have many friends who live and study in Ukraine, they can’t turn off their cellphones, waiting for Russia and Ukraine latest news,” she added.

 

Missing Rescue Solutions

While waiting for the announcement of an official plan to save Tunisian students, retired Brigadier General Ali Zermadini said that “Tunisia had programs and plans ready to intervene and start rescue operations for its citizens in the event of wars, chaos or uprisings in the countries in which their lives may be threatened.”

He added that “these programs, however, have not been developed and rehabilitated to cope with the new circumstances and conditions.”

Zermadini said the situation is not about just finding practical and radical solutions, the lives of hundreds of Tunisians may be threatened.

“I hope that this crisis will be an occasion for the state to rearrange the priorities of its institutions towards protecting the lives and property of Tunisians in any country in the world, because this is an example of respect for the state in front of the rest of the world,” he concluded.

Mrs. Amal Zughlami is a mother of a student at Odessa universities, according to the Independent, she expressed her concern about the Ukrainian situation and the blurred future Tunisian students can face in the threatened country.

The mother and her family in Tunisia are living in constant anxiety, especially when thinking about Russia as a strong party of the possible war, according to her.

Mrs. Zughlami confirmed that she is keeping in touch with her son and his colleagues, but this is not enough for her to guarantee a safe atmosphere for all the Tunisians including students.