A study by the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, specializing in immigration issues, reveals that over 75% of sub-Saharan African migrants were pushed across the border into Tunisia. Thousands of these migrants are currently in Tunisia, aiming to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy in search of better life opportunities in Europe.
The study, conducted between March and May 2024, involved a sample of 379 migrants from northern, central, and southern Tunisia. It found that 84.7% of the migrants entered the country without visas. Of these, 60% crossed through the shared border with Algeria, and 23% entered via the Libyan border. Sudan is also a notable country from which migrants arrive in Tunisia.
A significant finding of the study is that over 75% of the migrants reported being pushed across the border into Tunisia, indicating that their entry into the country was not by choice. Furthermore, more than half of these migrants are forced to sleep in the open, and 77% have experienced some form of violence, whether verbal or physical, at least once. Many of these migrants have fled repressive regimes in their home countries.
The Tunisian government has expressed concerns about the impact of migration on the nation’s economy, environment, health, and agricultural sectors. Most migrants spend their nights in forests and olive farms, especially near the coast of Sfax. The government cites the substantial financial burden of combating irregular migration, which costs the state over $112 million annually, according to Interior Minister Khaled Al-Nouri.
To address the migration issue, the EU signed a memorandum of understanding with Tunisia in July 2023. This agreement aims to limit the flow of migrants to Italy’s coast in exchange for financial and economic incentives. Despite these efforts, the situation remains challenging for both the migrants and the Tunisian government.
Click here to join our WhatsApp channel to get latest news for & about migrants.