Tunisian authorities have successfully thwarted 31 illegal migration operations, rescuing 1335 migrants from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea.
According to a statement issued by the Tunisian National Guard, their units managed to thwart dozens of attempts of illegal migration along the eastern coasts of the country, near Italy, with the majority of rescued individuals holding nationalities from sub-Saharan African countries.
In a related context, security forces in the Sfax governorate, southern Tunisia, arrested eight organizers of illegal trips and seized 14 iron boats and 23 marine engines used in these trips. Tunisian and Libyan coasts have witnessed, for years, a significant influx of illegal migrants aspiring to reach the southern coasts of European Union countries, resulting in the drowning of thousands according to statistics from the International Organization for Migration.
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.
