Tunisian authorities have started dismantling temporary camps set up by sub-Saharan African migrants in olive groves in the country’s central east. This move comes as more migrants agree to return voluntarily to their home countries, according to government officials.
On Monday, security forces reportedly set fire to tents in camps located in Hanshir Al-Qarqani in the Al-Amra area and in Oulad Hamed near Jebniana. Around 2,500 undocumented migrants were removed from the former site, and about 800 from the latter, according to National Guard spokesperson Houssem Eddine Jebabli.
Jebabli explained that Tunisia’s goal is to avoid becoming either a destination or a transit country for irregular migration. He stated that authorities are working with countries of origin, host nations, and international NGOs to ensure safe and voluntary repatriations.
Since 2023, roughly 20,000 migrants have arrived in the region, fleeing crackdowns in the nearby city of Sfax. Many settled in makeshift camps, sparking local tensions as some were accused of occupying private farmland. This situation was worsened by a wave of anti-migrant sentiment circulating on social media.
Human rights groups have voiced concerns about the treatment of these migrants. Human Rights Watch previously documented abuse by Tunisian police and military, including violence, theft, and even torture. Despite these allegations, the European Union offered Tunisia over €100 million in aid to help stop migrant boats from crossing the Mediterranean and to facilitate the return of migrants from Europe.
Critics say this deal ignores ongoing abuses and undermines migrant rights. President Kais Saied has been widely condemned for his anti-migrant rhetoric and harsh actions. Earlier this year, he referred to undocumented African migrants as “hordes” and ordered urgent crackdowns—actions that sparked global accusations of racism.
Lauren Seibert, a refugee and migrant rights researcher at HRW, said the Tunisian government has fueled xenophobic attitudes and forcibly returned vulnerable migrants, often placing them at further risk. She added that by funding these actions, the EU also bears responsibility for the hardships faced by migrants in Tunisia.
Despite international criticism, Tunisia remains a key migration route for those attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe, particularly the Italian coast.