بواسطة- راديو أمل
The official spokesperson for the General Directorate of the National Guard, Brigadier General Houssam Eddine Jebabli, stated that the hope for irregular migrants from sub-Saharan African countries to reach the European space through Tunisia has become slim, thanks to the strict monitoring operations carried out by the General Directorate of the National Guard, especially at sea, to protect Tunisian borders and sovereignty.
Jebabli, in an interview with the Tunis Afrique Presse Agency on Monday, confirmed that the strict monitoring operations have led these irregular migrants to request voluntary return. In this regard, he noted that more than 6,000 voluntary returns were recorded in 2024 compared to 2,500 in 2023, with the number increasing thanks to coordination with organizations concerned with migration regarding their accommodation and repatriation to their home countries.
He added that irregular African migrants are now resorting to other destinations and sailing for up to 13 days, avoiding traveling to Tunisia from their country of origin. This explains the significant decrease in the number of infiltrators across land borders, thanks to the close coordination between the land guard, the army, and other countries, as well as the adoption of comparative experiences in this direction.
He also highlighted the General Directorate of the National Guard's commitment to embodying the humanitarian dimension in dealing with irregular migrants from sub-Saharan African countries, providing them with necessary assistance such as food and first aid, or through securing health convoys to check their health status.
Regarding violent practices, Jebabli pointed out that cases of assault have been recorded from both sides (Tunisians and African migrants), as well as mutual assaults among these migrants. He explained that in cases of severe violence, the involved person is deported in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, and organizations concerned with migration. He stated, "The law applies to everyone, and anyone who commits an assault has legal cases opened against them and is brought to justice."