The Tunisian National Guard has announced the thwarting of 16 attempts to cross maritime borders and the rescue of 663 African migrants in the Sfax region, as part of efforts to combat illegal migration.
The National Guard clarified in a statement that its maritime units also recovered five bodies.
On another note, the National Guard units in Sfax managed to apprehend 12 organizers of illegal migration operations, and legal measures were taken against them.
Yesterday, Sunday, the Tunisian National Guard announced the foiling of 30 attempts to cross maritime borders and the rescue of 614 illegal migrants, along with the recovery of two bodies.
The issue of illegal immigration in Tunisia has evolved significantly, especially since the 2011 revolution. Post-revolution Tunisia has witnessed shifts in its political landscape, affecting its migration policies. Despite greater freedoms and transparency, Tunisia’s securitized migration policies have largely remained unchanged. This is due to a combination of factors: the need to democratically legitimize policies, contradictory dynamics within the Tunisian state, external demands for migration control, and equivocal transnational dynamics influenced by European migration policy. The democratization process has not fundamentally altered the security priorities of Tunisia’s Interior Ministry and European external actors, particularly regarding immigration. Additionally, there isn’t a clear majority within Tunisian society to politicize immigration issues through a human rights lens.
The Tunisian coast, particularly the region around Sfax, has become a significant departure point for illegal immigrants trying to reach Europe, specifically the Italian island of Lampedusa. Tunisian security authorities recently launched a campaign in Sfax to address the issue of illegal immigration. In a specific operation, Tunisia’s maritime guard foiled 88 illegal immigration attempts over three days, rescuing 1,131 illegal immigrants from sinking during the operations. Among these immigrants, 543 were of various African nationalities, with the rest being Tunisian nationals. This operation reflects the ongoing efforts by Tunisian authorities to curb the surge in illegal immigration, which has been a significant concern for both Tunisia and the European Union
