Tunisia’s Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani has called on European nations to enhance their financial assistance to help manage the rising tide of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. This appeal was made during a migration conference in Tripoli, highlighting the growing strain on Tunisia’s resources.
Strain on Tunisia’s Resources
Tunisia has been grappling with the financial and social impact of an increasing number of migrants arriving from other countries, hoping to make perilous sea journeys to Europe. Thousands of migrants are concentrated in southern Tunisian towns like Amra and Jbeniana, fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East in search of better opportunities in Europe.
Prime Minister Hachani emphasized the urgent need for more substantial aid. “More assistance must be provided to countries such as Tunisia. The aid provided is insufficient to address the problem,” he said. He pointed out that Tunisia is already facing significant financial challenges, and the migration crisis is an added burden on the country’s resources.
“There are towns that have absorbed migrants beyond their capacity,” Hachani noted, referring specifically to the overstretched communities of Amra and Jbeniana.
Financial Aid and Structural Solutions
In March, the European Union disbursed 150 million euros ($164 million) to Tunisia as part of a broader deal aimed at combating illegal migration and stabilizing the country’s finances. However, Hachani argued that this financial support is not enough to address the root causes of migration or the immediate needs of hosting large numbers of migrants.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Al-Dabaiba, also attending the conference, echoed Hachani’s sentiments. “There has been money spent for 10 or 50 years on this problem, and this problem has not been solved,” Al-Dabaiba stated. He argued that funds should be invested in the countries of origin rather than in detention camps in Libya or Europe.
As of January 2024, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that more than 706,000 migrants were in Libya. However, Libyan Interior Minister Emad Trabulsi indicated that the number of refugees hosted by Libya was much higher, at around 2.5 million.
Addressing Root Causes
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, also present at the conference, stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of migration in the countries of origin. “The situation cannot be resolved without tackling the problem in the countries of origin,” Meloni asserted.
The conference highlighted the complex nature of the migration crisis, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions that include significant financial aid and long-term investments in the migrants’ home countries. The participants agreed that while immediate support is necessary, addressing the underlying factors driving migration is crucial for a sustainable solution.
The ongoing migration crisis has broader implications for both North African countries and Europe. With thousands of migrants risking dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean, the situation demands urgent and coordinated international responses. The pressure on Tunisia and Libya, as key transit points for migrants, underscores the need for enhanced support from European nations and international organizations.
Prime Minister Hachani’s call for increased aid is a plea for shared responsibility in managing the migration crisis. The financial assistance from the European Union, while significant, needs to be part of a broader strategy that includes development aid, capacity building, and addressing socio-economic issues in the migrants’ countries of origin.
As the migration conference concluded, the leaders reiterated their commitment to finding collaborative solutions. The focus will now shift to implementing the agreed measures and securing additional support from the international community to alleviate the immediate pressures on Tunisia and other affected countries.
Source: ReutersÂ
