Tunisia Accused of Dumping Migrants in Desert: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
In a shocking revelation, migrants, Libyan border guards, and rights groups have accused Tunisia of expelling migrants across the border into a desolate and remote wilderness. This practice has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with migrants left stranded in the scorching desert without access to basic necessities. Tunisia, however, denies these allegations, claiming that they do not engage in such practices.
The Plight of Migrants
One of the migrants affected by this crisis is Tafaul Omar, a pregnant Sudanese nurse. Along with 14 other migrants from Sudan, Senegal, Ghana, and Mali, she claimed to have been arrested by Tunisian authorities and abandoned in the border area with Libya. The group had walked for four hours before being discovered by a Libyan border patrol. Omar expressed her exhaustion and fear for her unborn baby after enduring such an ordeal in the desert.
Tunisia’s Denial
Despite the testimonies of the migrants, Tunisia’s Interior Ministry denies any involvement in dumping migrants in the desert. Interior Ministry spokesperson Faker Bouzgaya stated that Tunisia rejects all accusations of expelling African immigrants. When asked about the migrants’ accounts, Bouzgaya pointed to the work of Tunisia’s Red Crescent in assisting migrants at the border. However, these claims contradict the harrowing experiences shared by the stranded migrants.
The Journey to Desolation
Tafaul Omar and her husband Yaseen Adam had been living in Zarziz, a southern Tunisian town near the border with Libya. They were saving up to pay smugglers to take them to Italy when they were arrested by Tunisian police and driven to the border. The couple had fled their home in Khartoum due to the ongoing warfare that erupted in April. After traveling through Chad and Algeria, they arrived in Tunisia. Along with other migrants, they were beaten, had their phones confiscated, and were abandoned in the desert.
The UN’s Response
The UN migration agency IOM has provided food and medical assistance to approximately 300 individuals at a Libyan government facility near where Omar’s group was found. Giacomo Terenzi of the IOM in Libya stated that there are still around 350 migrants stranded in Ras Ijder, a coastal area about 35km from Alasaa. Last month, the IOM and the UN refugee agency UNHCR expressed deep concern for the safety of hundreds of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Tunisia who had been removed to remote and desolate border areas or pushed across the frontier.
The Crackdown and its Consequences
The expulsions over the desert border began in early July after confrontations between locals and migrants in the port city of Sfax, a major departure point for illicit voyages to Italy. President Kais Saied announced a crackdown on migrants in February, accusing them of being part of a plot to change Tunisia’s demographic makeup. This campaign prompted reported attacks on migrants from sub-Saharan African countries. Despite criticism, the European Union pledged over 100 million euros to Tunisia to combat people smuggling and improve border management.
The Role of Libya
While Tunisia denies involvement in the expulsion of migrants, the Libyan border guards have been providing water and food to the stranded migrants. The border guards are under Brigade 19 of the Tripoli government’s Defense Ministry. The migrants found by the Libyan patrol were lying on the ground, exhausted and suffering from dehydration. They will be transferred to a government facility in Alassa, where they will not be sent to detention centers.
A Frustrated Future
Kufi Mousa and his wife Blessing David, who were also part of Omar’s group, expressed their frustration and loss of hope. They had hoped to travel to Europe but were unable to gather enough money. Mousa stated that they were expelled and left to walk in the desert, facing terrible conditions. Their only desire now is to return to Ghana.
In conclusion, the allegations against Tunisia for dumping migrants in the desert have resulted in a humanitarian crisis. While Tunisia denies these claims, the testimonies of the stranded migrants paint a different picture. The international community, including the UN and the European Union, must address this issue urgently to prevent further suffering and loss of life.