Summary:

On 5 May 2025, President Kais Saied received the General Director of the International Organization of Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, to discuss managing irregular migration flows. 

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The President reiterated Tunisia’s rejection of any role as a transit or settlement country for irregular migrants, calling on IOM to increase engagement on facilitating the return of migrants to their countries of origin. 

Kais Saied also emphasized Tunisia’s “respect of international humanitarian law during operations to evacuate informal camps,” stating that “Tunisia has assumed, within the limits of its capacities, a considerable part of the regional migratory consequences, but that it cannot accept that this situation continues.”  

While also criticizing the imbalances of the international economic system leading to the massive exodus of people, the President blamed “transnational criminal networks specializing in human trafficking and organ trafficking” in settling migrants in Jebeniana and El Amra in Sfax. 

The Minister of the Interior, Khaled Nouri, claimed during his meeting with Pope, that false information and rumors have taken the form of malicious campaigns seeking to conceal efforts made to provide protection, support, and care to these migrants.  

Outlook: 

Tunisia is likely seeking to accelerate the deportation of migrants with the help of IOM and other international partners as Tunisian residents are increasingly expressing dissatisfaction with some migrants’ criminal acts, including theft and intragroup violence. While some activists argue reports of these incidents have embellished the reality of the threat to local communities, the reports have, nonetheless, stoked frustration, particularly around Sfax. 

Deportations are unlikely to solve the migration challenge as many migrants will refuse to return to their countries, and opt for unofficial employment or criminal activities to survive while continuing to pursue opportunities to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. 

During the meetings with IOM, Tunisian officials likely sought to respond to European classification of Tunisia as a safe country of origin, shaping comments to counter plans to transform Tunisia into a country of resettlement. 

Despite officials’ claims of respect for human rights, NGO humanitarian workers supporting migrants remain imprisoned. Protests against these arrests are likely to continue until they are released. 

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