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AESAT members at the Presidential Palace in
Carthage.
Image credit: AESAT Faebook page
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AESAT was established in 1993 with the purpose of promoting African
culture and providing assistance to new students from sub-Saharan Africa to
settle down in Tunisia so that they “do not feel disconnected and isolated.”
Following the ousting of former President Zein el-Abidine Ben Ali in
2011, the association started campaigning for the rights of Sub-Saharan
students in Tunisia.
The Ministry of Interior is charged with granting residence permits
to foreigners. Students need to renew these permits with the start of each
academic year during the month of September. In 2013, the cards were not
delivered on time “without an explanation,” AESAT said. Because of these
delays, students risk expulsion and a fine of 20 Tunisian dinars each week they
stay over their short-term tourist visa.
