In Tunisia, migrants from mainly sub-Saharan Africa regularly attempt to leave for Italy. The North African country is at some points less than 150 kilometers from the Italian island of Lampedusa.
During the first three months of the year, Tunisian security forces rescued or intercepted more than 14,000 migrants. That is more than five times more than in the same period of 2022. In particular, a speech by the Tunisian president in which he calls illegal migration a threat to his country seems to have increased the number of departures.
Meeting with the EU Commissioner, Minister Ammar stressed “the importance of European Union support for socio-economic reforms in Tunisia (…) to better manage common challenges, including migration,” according to a press release. In addition, the Tunisian minister “recalled the need to address migration issues with a global approach”.
At the end of March, Tunisia called on the EU to show “more understanding” after several European leaders expressed concern about the crisis in the country and the risks it poses to Europe.