A Tunisian human rights organization reported on Tuesday that Tunisia has evacuated hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan African countries from a desolate desert area near the Libyan border to shelters in two Tunisian cities. Rights groups stated, "At the beginning of this month, Tunisia transferred migrants from the city of Sfax to remote areas close to the border after days of violent incidents that included the mass expulsion of migrants from the city."
The unrest between migrants and locals lasted for a week in Sfax, during which a Tunisian was killed. Residents complained about chaotic behavior from a group of migrants, while migrants reported experiencing racial harassment. The Tunisian authorities' relocation of migrants near the border sparked criticism from local and international human rights groups, who accused the country of endangering their lives and abandoning them in the desert without food and medicine.
Tunisian President Kais Saied rejected these accusations, stating, "Tunisia does not accept lessons." The Tunisian Red Crescent called for intervention to assist those stranded, emphasizing that "Tunisia will not accept any attempts to settle migrants." Ramadan Ben Omar, a representative of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights, told Reuters, "Hundreds of people who were at the Libyan border have finally been moved to shelters in the cities of Medenine and Tataouine after enduring difficult times there in extreme heat."
