Tunisian President Kais Saied has urged the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to speed up efforts to repatriate irregular migrants voluntarily, emphasising the need for a more decisive approach to curbing migration.
In a statement posted on Facebook late Tuesday, the presidency noted that “only 1,544 migrants have been repatriated” since the beginning of the year.
“This figure could have been much higher if greater efforts had been made to put a final end to this phenomenon,” the statement added.
Tunisia has emerged as a key departure point for migrants attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing to Europe, with tens of thousands—mainly from sub-Saharan Africa—attempting the journey each year.
The country’s proximity to the Italian island of Lampedusa, just 150 kilometers (90 miles) away in some areas, makes it a common starting point. However, stricter European Union policies have left many migrants stranded in Tunisia.
The IOM facilitates voluntary returns by offering free flights and reintegration assistance in migrants’ home countries. Tunisian authorities reported that 7,250 migrants were repatriated through the program last year.
This year alone, the IOM estimates that 343 people have died or gone missing attempting the Mediterranean crossing. In 2023, that number reached 2,476.
Earlier this month, Tunisia’s national guard rescued 612 migrants and recovered 18 bodies off its coast, underscoring the dangers of the journey.
Meanwhile, Italy’s interior ministry reports that 8,743 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year, reflecting a slight increase from the same period in 2023.
