Tunisia has begun dismantling makeshift camps that house thousands of sub-Saharan African migrants. Authorities have started forcibly deporting migrants and are seeking to repatriate many more voluntarily. According to Houssem Eddine Jebabli, an official in the National Guard, several migrants have been arrested for violence during the ongoing operation, which began Friday night.
The camps, primarily situated in southern towns like Amra and Jbeniana, were home to around 7,000 to 20,000 migrants, according to various reports. Many of these individuals had fled economic hardship, conflict, and instability in their home countries, seeking a better life in Tunisia before attempting to cross the Mediterranean into Europe. However, in recent months, Tunisia’s government has stepped up its efforts to halt this migration, citing increasing tensions between local residents and migrants, as well as security concerns.
Local communities have expressed their frustration with the growing number of migrants, leading to frequent clashes. Some residents have demanded that migrants be deported, alleging that their presence has resulted in social and economic strain. In response, authorities have intensified their crackdown, deploying forces to dismantle the camps and seize weapons, including knives and swords.
The operation has sparked outrage among human rights groups, who accuse the government of racism and xenophobia. Critics argue that the crackdown is rooted in President Kais Saied’s controversial rhetoric, which, in 2023, described the influx of migrants as a “conspiracy to change Tunisia’s demographic makeup.” This statement was condemned by the African Union, which labeled it as “hate speech.”
Despite these criticisms, Tunisia has garnered praise from Italy for its efforts to stem the flow of migrants crossing the Mediterranean from sub-Saharan Africa. However, the country’s increasingly harsh stance raises serious concerns about the protection of migrants’ rights and the future of Tunisia’s relationship with the broader African and international communities.
