Tunisian authorities have repatriated 149 Guinean nationals in a coordinated effort with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as part of a “voluntary return” initiative aimed at assisting migrants wishing to return to their home countries.
The repatriation, which took place on Thursday, is the first in a series of planned flights to help migrants voluntarily return home. Beginning in May, these repatriation efforts will be carried out on a weekly basis, as confirmed by Imed Memacha, spokesperson for Tunisia’s General Directorate of National Security.
Memacha noted that the increasing number of migrants opting to leave Tunisia is the result of government-led efforts to dismantle informal migrant camps, particularly in Tunisia’s southeastern region of Sfax. These informal settlements, home to many undocumented migrants, have been targeted as part of a broader initiative to regulate migration and improve conditions for both the migrants and the host community.
The spokesperson emphasized that the operation to remove these camps is being carried out with full adherence to human rights standards, ensuring that the rights of migrants are respected throughout the process.
Earlier on Thursday, authorities dismantled a camp in Henchir El-Karkeni, located in the El-Amra area of Sfax, which had been sheltering approximately 2,500 undocumented sub-Saharan African migrants. This move is part of ongoing efforts by the Tunisian government to address the growing migrant population in the country and manage the challenges posed by unauthorized settlements.
The voluntary repatriation program and the dismantling of migrant camps reflect Tunisia’s commitment to managing migration in a structured and humane way, with international support from organizations like IOM playing a key role in facilitating the return process.