Tunisia Migrant Returns Rise Amid Pressure

Michael Oppona, a 37-year-old Ghanaian, arrived in Tunisia less than a year ago with his wife and two young children. His journey across the Sahara was driven by the hope of reaching Europe, a goal that became increasingly elusive following a 2023 agreement between Tunisia and the European Union to curb irregular departures. Now, facing what he describes as dehumanizing treatment from local authorities, Oppona is among thousands of sub-Saharan migrants who have registered for free return flights to their home countries.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported assisting 4,965 migrants in returning to their countries of origin between January and August of this year. A Tunisian National Guard official stated that nearly 5,000 departures had occurred in the preceding twelve months, with return flights becoming a near-daily occurrence. However, the characterization of these movements as voluntary is disputed by humanitarian actors who argue that the socio-economic and political environment in Tunisia is forcing migrants to leave against their will.

Disputes Over Voluntary Departure

According to the GN geopolitics/migration desk, humanitarian sources contend that the returns should not be classified as voluntary. They argue that deliberate pressures, including racism and economic exclusion, are compelling migrants to exit the country. One source described the situation as "clearly expulsions," noting that authorities claim the stay at return hubs lasts only two weeks, while in reality, the process can take months, particularly for those without documentation. There are also concerns that some individuals have been sent to countries where their safety is not guaranteed, with reports of increased arrivals in Libya.

UN experts expressed alarm in July regarding alleged systems of mass detention and trafficking at the Tunisia-Libya border. Neither Tunisian nor Libyan authorities have publicly commented on these specific allegations. The lack of transparency regarding the government's return program has further compounded the concerns, with aid workers noting a lack of official information on how undocumented individuals are being repatriated.

Humanitarian Concerns and EU Role

More than 40 global non-governmental organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have documented harsh mistreatment of refugees and migrants in Tunisia. Their joint statement, released to mark the three-year anniversary of the EU-Tunisia deal, accused the European Union of being complicit in a situation that comes at a significant cost to human rights and dignity. The organizations cited testimonies of racist violence, arbitrary detention, and collective expulsions, arguing that the financing and equipment provided under the agreement have exacerbated the crisis.

Uncertainty for Those Remaining

For migrants who have not yet departed or are unable to, the outlook remains precarious. The political climate, marked by President Kais Saied's rhetoric describing migrants as a demographic threat, has intensified the hostility they face. As the number of return flights increases, the distinction between voluntary repatriation and forced expulsion continues to blur, leaving many in a state of limbo where their rights are increasingly difficult to assert.