Tunisian Academics Challenge Media Claims on Migration
Tunisian scholars and advocates for human rights have firmly rejected recent allegations circulating in some local media that accuse Morocco of facilitating the influx of irregular migrants from sub-Saharan Africa into Tunisia. These accusations, which have emerged from various Tunisian media outlets in recent weeks, are being characterized by critics as politically driven and lacking a foundation in geographic reality. Prominent voices in this discourse argue that such narratives are not only misleading but also serve to distract from pressing domestic issues and challenges related to regional border management.
Sami Jelouli, a noted Tunisian academic and political analyst, expressed his views in a statement to Hespress AR, labeling the allegations as “media sensationalism” rather than a factual evaluation of migration routes. On his Facebook page, Jelouli emphasized that the geographic and logistical realities regarding migration across Africa are evident to anyone familiar with the continent's map. He pointed out that migrants from sub-Saharan countries traveling towards Tunisia, Libya, or Algeria do not pass through Morocco; instead, they utilize overland routes through countries that share direct borders with Tunisia.
Jelouli further noted that Morocco, positioned at the western edge of North Africa, experiences migration pressures that are analogous to those faced by Tunisia. He described Morocco as both a transit and destination country for migrants aiming to reach Europe through Spain or the Canary Islands. He asserted that the challenges Tunisia faces regarding migration are largely due to internal issues and border control rather than external influences.
The increase in migrant populations in cities such as Sfax has exacerbated public tensions and intensified calls for deportations, according to Jelouli. He suggested that this scenario could explain why certain media outlets are eager to find an external scapegoat rather than focusing on enhancing internal border controls and improving migration management strategies.
Moreover, Jelouli warned against the politicization of migration in regional disputes, remarking that North African countries share common migration pressures due to their geographical proximity to Europe. He asserted that blaming Morocco for directing migrants towards Tunisia is devoid of both geographic and practical logic.
Human Rights Activists Echo Concerns
Echoing Jelouli’s sentiments, Zouheir Makhlouf, a Tunisian human rights activist and former lawmaker, highlighted that migration from sub-Saharan Africa is a regional challenge impacting various countries across North Africa. Makhlouf remarked to Hespress AR that Morocco, too, faces similar migration pressures stemming from Mauritania and sub-Saharan Africa. He criticized the narrative that seeks to place blame on Morocco while conveniently overlooking the migration routes through Algeria and Libya, calling it a form of misinformation.
Furthermore, Makhlouf pointed out that migrants heading towards Tunisia often traverse Algerian territory after entering from countries such as Mali and Niger. He suggested that the political sensitivities surrounding Tunisia's relationship with Algeria may lead some commentators to avoid addressing these crucial routes. He also emphasized that Tunisia is not only grappling with transit migration issues but is increasingly confronting challenges related to the longer-term settlement of migrants, especially in light of recent agreements with European partners designed to manage migration flows across the Mediterranean.
In Makhlouf’s view, tackling these migration challenges necessitates an open and honest public debate, along with effective border management strategies, rather than placing blame on external entities. Amid ongoing regional discussions about migration management and escalating political tensions in North Africa, migration remains a pivotal issue influencing relations between countries on both sides of the Mediterranean.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
