Tunisia, EU Finalize Migration Pact

Facts

• The European Union and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding Sunday for a “strategic and comprehensive partnership” aimed at countering irregular migration and enhancing economic collaboration.¹
• As part of the deal, the EU will provide cash to Tunisia in exchange for strengthening border controls. Sunday's EU statement did not provide any details of the agreement, however, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said last month that the EU was ready to provide Tunisia with more than €1B ($1.1B).²
• Through this partnership, the EU aims to contribute to the development of Tunisia via "stability, trade and investment, green energy transition, people-to-people links and migration, and mobility."³
• The deal has come under scrutiny due to the Tunisian government's treatment of migrants. Since February, President Kais Saied accused "hordes" of migrants from these countries of a "plot" to change the country's demographic composition.⁴
• Migrants from Tunisia have increased significantly in numbers in recent months. The Italian research institute ISPI reported about 6.5K arrived in Italy last week alone.⁵
• On Friday, Italy said that over 75K migrants had arrived by boat in 2023 to date — more than double the 31.9K who arrived during the same period last year.⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²POLITICO, ³Africa News, ⁴AL, ⁵Euractiv, and ⁶DW.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Middle East Monitor. A strategic pact between the EU and Tunisia is necessary in order to halt irregular migration from Africa. The need to crack down on criminal networks of smugglers and traffickers is paramount. The EU will work hand-in-hand with Tunisia on anti-smuggling and search-and-rescue operations. This vital Europe-North African partnership will save lives.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. Human rights groups have rightly expressed concern that the EU is providing financial support to President Saied's increasingly authoritarian government. The EU and Italy are turning a blind eye to Tunisia's repressive treatment of migrants and asylum-seekers, who face abuse at the hands of security forces — including police and national guard members at sea. The deal means that migrants will be stranded in Tunisia and become more desperate, taking even bigger risks to reach Europe.