Summary:

Over the weekend of 19-20 August 2023, intelligence operations by Tunisian officials led to the disruption of an organized crime network in Sfax that had been involved in smuggling migrants to Europe.

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National Guard officials reported that three houses were raided leading to the seizure of four boats, welding equipment, and money attributed to the smuggling operation.

Meanwhile, instances of piracy targeting migrants continue, with migrants reporting that Tunisian fisherman among others have been stopping their boats and stealing their engines and money.

Sfax remains a convergence point for migration, with Italy and Tunisia having committed intelligence resources to disrupting smuggling networks there. The recent expulsions of sub-Saharan African migrants to the desert came following a clash between migrants and local residents which resulted in the stabbing death of a Tunisian man.

Outlook:  

Despite the international criticism of recent expulsions of sub-Saharan African migrants to the southern border areas of Tunisia, irregular migration has continued in and through Sfax at an alarming rate.

Migrants continue to flow northward from the deserts of Libya and Algeria and find their way to Sfax to seek passage to Europe. Many Tunisians also continue to seek passage, with a recent high-profile instance of a well-known rapper documenting his journey to Italy.

Despite investment and assistance from Europe, migrants remain determined to reach Europe, showing that a strategy of deterrence has been slow to demonstrate effectiveness.

Migrants are likely to continue to seek passage through Tunisia, particularly as Algeria and Libya have been increasing hostile toward those arriving from sub-Saharan Africa.

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