Kais Saied: Tunisia No Longer Tolerates the Burden of Illegal Migrants

President of Tunisia, Kais Saied, emphasized that Tunisia is no longer able to bear the increasing burdens resulting from the presence of illegal migrants on its territory, affirming that this situation "cannot continue".

This came during his meeting on Thursday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Tunisia, where they discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially regarding the immigration file.

Saied called for the necessity of supporting Tunisia in organizing "air bridges" to facilitate the voluntary return of irregular migrants within the country, emphasizing the importance of dismantling criminal networks that traffic in humans and their organs.

He also explained that his country dealt with these migrants humanely when dismantling many irregular camps, but he also stressed that "no country can accept on its soil those who are outside its law".

In this context, Tunisian authorities revealed that around 4500 illegal migrants from sub-Saharan Africa have voluntarily left the country since the beginning of 2025, thanks to the voluntary return program launched in recent months.

The number of migrants inside Tunisian cities has significantly decreased due to intensified security measures that included thwarting attempts of illegal migration across the sea.

While European countries, led by Italy, continue to pressure Tunisia to reduce the crossing of migrants to Europe through its coasts, Kais Saied faces internal criticisms accusing him of turning Tunisia into a "guardian of Europe's borders" and a warehouse for migrants, amid internal divisions over the nature of the role the country should play in this sensitive issue.