Struggling Existence in Transit: A Glimpse into the Day-to-Day Struggles of Migrants in Tunis
In the heart of North Africa, Tunisia serves as a hub for many migrants from countries south of the Sahara, dreaming of a new, better life in Europe. However, the reality for these migrants is far from their dreams, as they face numerous challenges regarding work, living conditions, and relations with local authorities.
Ahmed Barry, a 24-year-old from Guinea, is one of the many migrants striving to make a living in Tunisia. He has been working at a car wash in Tunis for a few weeks, but business is slow, and the equipment is old. Barry shares a two-room apartment with five other West African migrants in the suburb of Marsa, where they find more leniency and opportunities.
The living conditions for migrants are often harsh and precarious. Many reside in makeshift camps under insecure conditions, such as those near Sfax and El Amra, where they live in improvised shelters exposed to police raids and violence. Inter-communal clashes have resulted in injuries and death, as seen recently when a man from Guinea died after violent conflicts between sub-Saharan groups.
The Tunisian government, under President Kais Saied, has intensified crackdowns on migrants, framing them as a "threat" to Tunisia’s demographics. This rhetoric has fueled increased racism and violence, leading to forced evictions of migrant settlements. Migrants face indiscriminate targeting, including students and legal residents, under authoritarian policies. Security operations aim to dismantle migrant settlements, and defenders of migrants are also prosecuted, creating an adversarial climate between migrants and authorities.
Moreover, the lack of stable work and integration worsens migrants' socio-economic insecurity. Many migrants, such as women and men, are struggling to find jobs and accommodation, often resorting to begging on the streets or selling items like tissues. The EU and Italy seek to address root causes through development plans like Italy's Mattei Plan aiming to create jobs in Africa, but in Tunisia, the immediate impact for migrants remains bleak amid harsh enforcement measures.
Reports document cases of beatings, rape, and other abuses against sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia, linked to the country's securitization policies on migration which have intensified migrants' vulnerability rather than enhanced their protection. The externalization of European border control to Tunisia has contributed to such violations.
Despite the challenges, some migrants remain hopeful. Karim, a young man from Cameroon, is working in Marsa, trying to save money to attempt crossing the Mediterranean again. Barry and Moriba, also from Guinea, share the same dream. They hope one day to make it to Europe.
In an effort to curb migration, Tunisia has signed an agreement with the European Union two years ago, leading to a crackdown on migrant influxes. As a result, over 100 million euros have been pledged for reinforced border control by Tunisia. So far this year, around 3,500 irregular migrants have voluntarily returned to their home countries, with the IOM organizing free flights twice a week in collaboration with Tunisian authorities and donor countries.
One such returnee is a man planning to return to Guinea with his wife and baby. He couldn't find a job during his three years in Tunisia, and many others face similar struggles. To evade security forces, many migrants have chosen to live in rural areas or poorer regions. In the largest temporary camp near offices of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Tunis, thousands of unregistered migrants once sought refuge, but the camp has been dismantled and dissolved.
The coast guard in Tunisia has increased patrols and is monitoring the waters more closely, with the help of European equipment and harsher penalties for smugglers. Yet, the dream of a better life in Europe continues to draw migrants to Tunisia, despite the challenges they face.
[1] Amnesty International, "Tunisia: Migrants and Refugees Face Harassment, Abuse and Exploitation," 2022. [2] Human Rights Watch, "Tunisia: Migrants Face Abuse, Forced Evictions," 2023. [3] European Commission, "Tunisia: EU Support to Migration Management," 2023. [4] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, "Tunisia: Migrants and Refugees Face Harsh Conditions," 2023. [5] International Organization for Migration, "Tunisia: Migration Update," 2023.
- The harsh living conditions faced by migrants in Tunisia, including precarious accommodation and lack of job opportunities, are among the numerous challenges they confront, as documented in reports by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
- Despite intensified crackdowns on migrants by the Tunisian government, fueled by political rhetoric framing them as a threat to the nation's demographics, many migrants, like Karim from Cameroon, yet maintain hope for a better life in Europe, echoing the sentiments shared in reports by European Commission, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and International Organization for Migration.
