Hommam Al Nassim 
A report by the “Carnegie Endowment for Peace” has indicated that Tunisia has become a major transit point for African illegal immigrants who aspire to reach Europe.
The report revealed the emergence of new networks for human smuggling and the manufacture of smuggled boats from Libya to Tunisia.
The economic, climatic, and social crises in the Sahel region have pushed thousands to leave their countries, making Tunisia a preferred exit point for migrants after the political transitions in the region.
It was noted that the increase in arrivals coincided with the migration agreement between Italy and Libya, which led migrants to favor Tunisia over Libya.
Tunisia has seen an increase in cases of racism and violence against migrants after President Kais Saied’s speech, which some saw as similar to the feelings of the European far-right.
The number of migrants seeking asylum in Europe has risen due to worsening poverty and insecurity in some countries on the African continent.
Looking at the figures, reports revealed that 2023 saw an increase in the proportion of migrants arriving in Italy via Tunisia compared to Libya, showing Tunisia’s importance as a transit point along the central Mediterranean route.
The report concluded with a warning of the escalation of human trafficking and smuggling in Tunisia, with increasing demand for departure and law enforcement authorities cracking down on increasing departures, noting that some individuals are exploiting opportunities to transport migrants from the Algerian and Libyan borders to Tunisia.
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