Over 170 Beninese migrants have chosen to return home from Tunisia on a UN-facilitated flight, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Wednesday.
This comes amid rising tensions and a hostile environment for sub-Saharan African migrants in the North African country.
Following comments by Tunisian President Kais Saied in 2023 labelling sub-Saharan African migrants as a “demographic threat,” violence against migrants erupted, leading to job losses and evictions.
Saied has vowed to prevent Tunisia from becoming a transit or settlement point for migrants.
The IOM coordinated with the Beninese government to organize the voluntary return flight, which brought 173 migrants back to Cotonou, Benin’s economic capital.
The organization pledged to collaborate with partners to ensure the sustainable reintegration of these returning migrants into their communities.
This news comes against a backdrop of rising dangers and tightening border controls in the Mediterranean region.
The IOM reports a staggering number of migrant deaths over the past decade, with over 27,000 lives lost at sea.
This year alone, more than 3,000 migrants have perished attempting the perilous journey.
Tunisia has also seen a significant increase in migrant interceptions in the first four months of 2024.
Tunisian authorities report a 22.5% rise compared to the same period last year, with over 21,000 migrants apprehended or rescued.
This surge in interceptions follows agreements between Tunisia, the European Union, and Italy.
These deals offer financial aid and economic cooperation to Tunisia in exchange for the country’s efforts to curb migrant departures from its shores.
