National Guard remove migrant camps in Tunisia

Units of the National Guard have reportedly burnt down makeshift migrant camps in the central eastern regions of Tunisia as the country tries to deter people using it as a transit route.

As reported by Middle East Monitor on April 26th, a spokesperson for the National Guard, Houssem Eddine Jebabli, release a statement claiming that around 2,500 undocumented people were forced out of camps in Hanshir Al-Qarqani, in the Al-Amra area.

Jebabli told press that: “The state’s strategy is for Tunisia not to be a destination or transit point for irregular migrants. Tunisia is coordinating with countries of origin, host countries and international NGOs to ensure voluntary return.”

On April 6th, it was reported that authorities in Tunisia had dismantled a makeshift camp in the eastern regions of El Amra and Jebeniana, which was home to around 20,000 migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa.

A similar number of people were homed in the migrant camps in the Al-Amra area of Tunisia.

The camp was first created in 2023 by migrants who are travelling northward from sub-Sahara African countries toward the Mediterranean, which they hope to cross in order to start a new life in Europe.

The route that sets off from Tunisia is incredibly dangerous, with the bodies of six migrants being found on the Italian island of Lampedusa after setting off from the Tunisian coast.

The Tunisian government has sought to clamp down on their country being used as a transit point and this most recent case is yet another example of the manner ion which they are prepared to deal with the issue.

The Human Rights Watch reported abuses carried out by Tunisian police and military against migrants, including beatings and the use of excessive force back in 2023.

Since then the government, led by President Kais Saied, has set about detaining pro-migrant activists and protestors as well as accusing anti-racism activists of working against the country’s best interests.

Middle East Monitor, Maghrebi