The spokesman for Tunisia's National Guard told state television last week that there had not been any irregular entrances into Tunisia in the first three weeks of 2025. In 2024, the authorities say they repatriated over 7,500 migrants.
In the first three weeks of January 2025, Tunisia did not record any attempts to enter the country irregularly, stated the Tunisian authorities, claiming that their strategy to repatriate more migrants via voluntary programs is working.
In 2024, in the equivalent three weeks, there were over 3,000 entries recorded, stated the authorities.
The announcement was made by Tunisia's National Guard spokesman Houssemeddine Jebabli, who underscored that efforts conducted by the Tunisian authorities had also increased the number of blocks Tunisia was able to make on migrants trying to depart Tunisia towards Europe in the same period.
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Action taken in El Ketetna to ensure security
Jebabli said that the authorities had also been pursuing a new strategy in the El Amra region of the Sfax governorate, where thousands of migrants without the requisite papers are camping in makeshift settlements, waiting for an opportune moment to join a boat headed towards Europe.
The spokesperson said that their strategy there had been to order security forces to El Ketetna, another part of the Sfax governorate, with the aim of protecting civil protection units and the work of Red Crescent representatives operating there.
Jebabli said that representatives of the government health ministry had declared the camps a danger and a risk to security and public health in the region.
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Investigations in El Amra region
"Several reports were presented and investigations set in motion by the National Guard in the El Amra region. An alternative was presented to irregular migrants: i.e., the possibility to be voluntarily repatriated," the spokesman said, clarifying that the national security council had adopted a strategy for the voluntary repatriation of migrants without papers.
According to Jebabli, Tunisian president Kaïs Saïed contacted several NGos and friendly countries to arrange air bridges for the voluntary repatriation of migrants choosing this option.
"There were also deportations of irregular migrants, including those involved in physical attacks on other migrants or crimes and acts and violence against Tunisians," Jebabli said, underscoring that "over 7,500 people were repatriated in 2024."