Tunisia asks EU for financial aid for migration crisis
Tunisia’s prime minister asked the EU for financial aid in tackling the migration crisis at a conference on July 17th, according to Reuters. The North African nation has been battered by a flow of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa hoping to reach Europe by sea.
At a migration conference in Tripoli, prime minister Ahmed Hachani made an appeal saying that Tunisia is a “victim country” that has spent a significant portion of its public finances in dealing with the migration crisis, adding to the load of internal problems that it is already facing.
“More assistance must be provided to countries such as Tunisia. The aid provided is insufficient to address the problem,” Hachani said.
Tunisia has seen waves of anti-migrant protests as President Kais Saied made incendiary comments that stirred up waves of violence against black African migrants. Protesters have expressed that they feel they have borne the cost of Tunisia’s efforts to prevent migrants from reaching the EU.
READ: Tunisia: Migrants plead for safe passage
Migrants are mostly centered in the southern towns of Amra and Jbeniana, where they have “absorbed migrants beyond their ability”, according to Hachani.
Sub-Saharan African migrants have fled poverty and war in their home countries in hopes of reaching Europe for a better life. They make their way through North African countries such as Tunisia wanting to reach the EU by crossing the Mediterranean Sea on dubious boats.
Tunisia has previously appealed to the EU for financial aid in migration management. In March 2024, the EU announced an investment of 164.5 million euros in Tunisia’s security forces in order to aid in managing migration flows. They have previously committed 127 million euros for the same cause in September 2023.
Internally, Tunisia is set to undergo presidential elections in October. Citizens have expressed discontent with President Kais Saied over his crackdown on media and detention of opposition figures. Issues such as migration will play a huge role in determining his popularity in the country.
Reuters
