North African Nation Pledges Migration Solution to Europe

Tunisia has taken significant steps to address the migration crisis affecting Europe by repatriating approximately 10,000 irregular migrants since the beginning of this year. The majority of these individuals hail from sub-Saharan African nations, as reported by Tunisia’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti.

Tunisia’s Repatriation Efforts

Under a voluntary return program coordinated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Tunisia has organized weekly flights to assist migrants in returning to their home countries. In the year 2024 alone, around 7,200 migrants were repatriated under this initiative.

The Tunisian government remains committed to continuing these repatriations until the migration issue is completely resolved. Minister Nafti emphasized Tunisia’s stance during recent discussions with European partners, underscoring that the country will not serve as a transit zone for migrants.

Geopolitical Context

Tunisia’s geographical location is strategic, bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. These borders have positioned Tunisia as a focal point in the ongoing migration crisis, which is fueled by numerous factors.

• Political instability in the Sahel region, including a series of coups.
• The climate crisis leading to deteriorating living conditions.
• Increased numbers of migrants from countries such as Sudan, Chad, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Thousands of migrants have found temporary shelter in southern towns like Amra and Jebiniana, where they live in makeshift tents. Authorities have restricted their movements, preventing them from embarking on dangerous sea crossings to Europe.

Impact of Previous Agreements

A 2017 migration agreement between Italy and Libya, supported by the European Union, had a lasting impact on migration patterns in the region. This agreement led to the establishment of detention centers and transformation of armed groups into coast guard units in Libya, inadvertently pushing many sub-Saharan migrants to seek entry into Tunisia instead.

Following Libya’s descent into civil unrest in 2019, a dramatic increase in the number of migrants entering Tunisia has been observed. The coastal city of Sfax plays a crucial role in facilitating smuggling operations, adding complexity to the region’s migration dynamics.

Tunisia’s proactive approach and commitment to addressing the migration crisis resonate with European partners seeking effective solutions to stem irregular migration flows across the Mediterranean.