Tunisia: 4,500 sub-Saharan migrants repatriated via voluntary return

Tunisia has facilitated the voluntary return of around 4,500 sub-Saharan migrants to their home countries, according to Colonel-Major Houssemeddine Jebabli, spokesperson for the National Guard.

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Tunisia has repatriated approximately 4,500 sub-Saharan migrants through a voluntary return program.

The program, implemented in coordination with the Tunisian Red Crescent and local authorities, particularly in the Sfax governorate, operates on a national strategy that reconciles humanitarian needs with security concerns. Initially, procedures were simplified for migrants with travel documents. As more individuals sought to return without passports, coordination with relevant embassies and consulates was strengthened to expedite transit permits and necessary return formalities.

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the program of voluntary return is implemented according to an approach reconciling humanitarian and security imperatives.

Jebabli noted a significant recent increase in migrants wishing to return home. This past week alone, 420 individuals were transferred to a collection point in El Amra, Sfax, to finalize their repatriation. He attributes this growing interest in voluntary return to the positive results achieved by security units, including the National Guard, in combating irregular migration networks and illegal attempts to cross maritime borders.

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these results have been obtained thanks to the reinforcement of human and material means deployed along the Tunisian coasts and the establishment of a global surveillance system.

These successes are credited to enhanced human and material resources along Tunisia's coastlines and a comprehensive surveillance system. The spokesperson stated that efforts over the past three years have substantially reduced illegal border crossings. Consequently, an increasing number of irregular migrants are choosing secure, voluntary returns. The Interior Ministry continues to pursue a balanced approach, respecting human rights while enforcing the law in collaboration with national structures.

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the Ministry of Interior continues its action according to a balanced approach that combines respect for human rights and the application of the law, in coordination with the various national structures.