In reaction to the ongoing diplomatic crisis between Morocco and Tunisia, many Moroccan citizens have launched a campaign to boycott Tunisian products.
Moroccan internet users have been sharing pictures and lists of products imported from Tunisia under the hashtag #BoycottTunisianProducts. The most vocal proponents of the move see the boycotting of the products as a way of protesting against the Tunisian president’s recent reception of Brahim Ghali, the leader of the separatist Polisario Front claiming independence in southern Morocco.
Campaigners have distinguished Tunisian products as the ones where the barcodes start with the numbers 619. The first three numbers of a barcode code link the product to its country of origin, with 619 belonging to Tunisia.
The protestors also called on consumers to support Moroccan alternatives on the market, seeing this occasion as an opportunity to support the Moroccan economy.
“After a little bit of research on Tunisian products in Moroccan markets, I didn’t find anything that Morocco does not offer equivalents for,” one commenter said. “That’s why this is a chance to support our country’s economy and encourage Moroccan industry!”
Social media activists also wondered if the simmering diplomatic tensions between the two countries will affect the free trade agreement linking them.
Moroccans have called for similar boycotts on French products, as a result of the country’s decision to cut back on visas granted for Moroccans last year.
On Friday, Tunisian President Kais Saied received Polisario leader Brahim Ghali as part of the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).
As Tunisia has historically strived to maintain a neutral stance in the Sahara dispute, many saw President Saied’s reception of the separatist leader as an acknowledgment of his legitimacy.
Morocco immediately recalled its ambassador in Tunisia, and the Tunisian government responded in kind on Saturday
Since then, President Saied’s the decision to host the Polisario chief been met with criticism from political parties in Tunisia and other African states.
