Tunisian security forces have begun dismantling makeshift camps sheltering sub-Saharan African migrants in the town of Al-Amra, in the Sfax governorate, home to around 7,000 undocumented migrants. The move comes as part of a broader government strategy to address what it describes as a growing migration crisis.
On May 5, Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, Mohamed Ali Nafti, met with Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), during her official visit to Tunisia. The two reviewed ongoing cooperation programs, notably the “Voluntary Return Program,” which has seen a relative increase in the number of beneficiaries in recent months.
“Tunisia Will Not Be a Country of Settlement”
During the meeting, Minister Nafti reiterated Tunisia’s firm and longstanding position rejecting the idea of becoming a transit or settlement country for irregular migrants. He emphasized Tunisia’s historical commitment to hosting African students in its universities and vocational institutions and its engagement in regional development efforts across the African continent.
He also stressed the importance of accelerating the implementation of the voluntary return program, urging international partners to strengthen their support for the IOM’s operations, which are grounded in the principles of human rights and Tunisia’s ethical commitment to protecting victims of human trafficking.
Amy Pope praised the progress of the voluntary return initiative and commended Tunisia’s comprehensive approach to migration governance, which she said helps counter trafficking and other human rights abuses.
Camp Dismantling and Humanitarian Framing
Security forces launched operations to dismantle and sanitize informal camps in olive groves in Al-Amra, where thousands of migrants had been living for nearly two years. The Ministry of the Interior estimates that around 23,000 irregular migrants from 27 different nationalities were present in Tunisia in 2024. Authorities say over 130,000 attempted crossings were intercepted at Tunisia’s borders that same year.
The Sfax region has been at the center of migration-related tensions, particularly after confrontations escalated between local residents and migrants. Residents have called on authorities to clear their lands of migrant encampments.
A government source described the dismantling process as “humane,” with many migrants expected to benefit from voluntary return programs. However, the operation has drawn criticism from rights groups and observers, who fear the measures may worsen conditions for migrants.
Rising Tensions and Public Backlash
The removal of the camps follows months of heightened tension. In 2023, President Kais Saied warned of a “criminal plan” behind the influx of sub-Saharan migrants, alleging it aimed to “alter Tunisia’s demographic composition.” His statements fueled an uptick in public hostility and nationalist rhetoric.
Many of the migrants had journeyed across Mali and Algeria in hopes of reaching Europe via the Mediterranean. In 2023, Tunisia entered a partnership with the European Union, securing €255 million in aid, nearly half of which was earmarked for combating irregular migration.
Human rights organizations have condemned the security approach. Videos circulating on social media have shown clashes between migrants and locals, sparking outrage and raising concerns about state inaction.
“Law of the Jungle”
Emad Al-Sultani, president of the Earth for All Association, criticized the state’s response in Sfax, claiming it violates basic human rights and creates a “law of the jungle” scenario between Tunisians and migrants. He blamed the lack of effective governance for escalating violence.
Mustafa Abdelkabir, head of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, said online hate campaigns have increased dramatically, hindering humanitarian interventions and putting migrants’ lives at risk.
A Strategy Destined to Fail?
Ramadan Ben Omar, from the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, questioned the government’s strategy, describing the dismantling as an attempt to scatter migrants to ease local tensions. He warned that without sustainable housing solutions, migrants would simply regroup and build new camps.
Voluntary Return and Its Limits
National Guard official Houssam Eddine Jebabli confirmed the dismantling of camps housing around 7,000 migrants, adding that arrests were made for violent offenses and possession of knives and swords. While authorities push for voluntary returns, forced deportations have also begun.
The government has called on international organizations to intensify efforts in supporting voluntary returns. However, this policy faces limitations, as it excludes refugees, asylum seekers, stateless individuals, and unaccompanied minors. A €13 million EU-funded initiative aimed at supporting these returns has also raised questions about its effectiveness.
The Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights recently voiced deep concern over what it called “serious developments” in the treatment of sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia, citing rising attacks and systemic abuses.
According to State Secretary Mohamed Ben Ayed, Tunisia returned 7,250 irregular migrants to their home countries in 2024 through its cooperation with the IOM. Minister Nafti reaffirmed the country’s rejection of being a host or transit destination and emphasized the need for continued coordination to ensure the program’s success.
The IOM reported that it carried out 1,740 voluntary returns so far this year, following nearly 7,000 in 2023—three times the number recorded in 2022.
Desperation and Calls to Leave
Following recent security operations in Sfax, many migrants have openly called on Tunisian authorities to allow them to leave the country by sea. “We don’t want residency. We don’t want aid. We just want to leave for Europe,” they chanted from the streets of downtown Sfax, braving harsh living conditions.
Their demands reflect deep despair and a willingness to risk the deadly Mediterranean route rather than remain in Tunisia. Despite the dangers and mounting fatalities, the sea remains a preferred path for many seeking a better life—underscoring the absence of a comprehensive and humane migration policy in the country.
