Tunisia abandons random camps to house thousands of new immigrants

A Tunisian official reported yesterday to evacuate random camps that house thousands of irregular migrants from sub-Saharan African countries, noting that the dismantling of these camps will continue in the coming days.

These camps, which have been established in the Groves olive extending in the Al -umara and Jabaniana regions in the center of the eastern country, caused great dissatisfaction among residents of the surrounding villages and triggered the anger of Tunisian public opinion.

In press statements, the spokesperson for the National Guard (gendarmerie), Hospals El -Din Al -jababli, said that around 20,000 immigrants are divided into several unofficial camps, erect tents in the fields.

He stressed that camp evacuation “is done peacefully and without security intervention”, and with the participation of teams from the Red Crescent and the Ministry of Health and Civil Defense, which provided first aid to certain immigrants.

He added that since last Thursday, around 4,000 immigrants of different nationalities have been forced to leave the camp “Kilo 24”, which is one of the largest camps in the region. He stressed that other random camps in the same area have been evacuated, stressing that operations will continue in the coming days.

“Distinguish in the desert”

He said the health authorities took care of people with a weak structure and pregnant women and the fate of thousands of remaining immigrants, he said that some of them “separated into the desert”. He explained that many people expressed their desire to voluntarily return to their country.

“There were many cases before the courts due to the occupation of private property”, like the olive-bosquets, “and it was our duty to remove all forms of chaos.”

At the end of last March, the Qais President Saeed called for the International Organization for Migration to intensify his efforts to ensure the “voluntary return” of irregular migrants to their country.

The question of migrants from sub -Saharan Africa is a severe tension in Tunisia. The country is a crossing point for thousands of migrants and refugees from sub -Saharan Africa, who wish to reach the Italian coast.

The closest point to Tunisia on the Italian island of Lampedoza is less than 150 km, and it is often the first arrival point for irregular migrants, and tens of thousands of them try to cross each year.