Tunisia has reported a complete halt in irregular border crossings since January 2025, according to Brigadier General Houssam Eddine Jebabli, spokesperson for the National Guard. Speaking on national television, Jebabli attributed the decline to enhanced coordination between border units and the military, alongside advanced surveillance technologies and regional cooperation.
While previous years saw frequent attempts to enter Tunisia illegally, recent incidents have reversed direction, with migrants now attempting to leave Tunisia for neighboring countries. Jebabli emphasized that such outbound movements also violate the law and are treated with equal seriousness.
Voluntary returns on the rise
Since June, at least 3,500 migrants have left Tunisia voluntarily, Jebabli said, adding that over 4,500 have returned to their countries of origin since 2015 under state-run repatriation programs coordinated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
He stressed that Tunisia’s border management is not solely security-driven but rooted in human rights principles. The country has adopted a humanitarian approach to migration, including emergency interventions, voluntary return schemes, and coordination with diplomatic missions to assist undocumented migrants.
Managing migration hotspots
Challenges in areas such as Sfax, Jbeniana, and El Amra are being addressed through organized evacuations, temporary sheltering, and provision of food and medical care. These efforts involve multiple ministries, including interior, defense, and environment, as well as humanitarian organizations.
Despite facing criticism over its handling of migration, Tunisia continues to operate “professionally and in accordance with international conventions,” Jebabli said. “Tunisia is a country of law and ethics, and remains a safe destination despite the challenges.”
UN report raises concerns
In October, a UN Human Rights Council-commissioned report condemned alleged abuses against migrants in Tunisia. Independent experts cited alarming accounts of violent interceptions at sea, including physical assault, threats involving firearms, and sabotage of migrant vessels.
The report detailed incidents where engines and fuel were removed, leading to capsized boats and heightened risks for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers during rescue operations and forced transfers to border zones.
