World Bank says pausing Tunisia work amid racially motivated violence

The World Bank is pausing its work with Tunisia after statements by the country's president on migrants from sub-Saharan Africa triggered racially motivated harrassment and violence, the bank's president told staff in a note seen by Reuters. In the note, sent late Sunday, Malpass said the bank was pausing Tunisia' Country Partnership Framework and had postponed a March 21 board meeting to review a new strategic engagement with the country until further notice.

He said the World Bank viewed steps announced by the Tunisian government to protect and support migrants and refugees as a positive step, and would be monitoring their impact.