Migrant Killed in Violent Clashes at Makeshift Camp in Northern Tunisia

TUNIS, 10 April 2025 (BSS/AFP) – A Guinean national has died following violent clashes between migrant groups at a makeshift camp in northern Tunisia, according to a visiting member of parliament and the country’s National Guard.

The altercation occurred near El Amra, a town south of Tunis and close to the coastal city of Sfax, where thousands of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa have set up temporary shelters in surrounding olive groves.

According to Tarak Mahdi, MP for Sfax, the violence broke out on Tuesday evening between groups of migrants from Guinea and Ivory Coast, reportedly following a Champions League football match.

“Dozens were wounded, many with machetes and knives,” Mahdi stated after visiting the site.

The National Guard confirmed that the deceased man had suffered a fatal head injury caused by a stone. Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident.

🔴 Summary of the Incident

🇹🇳 Rising Tensions and Recent Crackdowns

The clashes come just a week after a major security sweep in the El Amra area aimed at clearing informal camps. These groves have become a hotspot for migrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, often under hazardous conditions.

Tensions between local residents and migrant communities have escalated in recent years, particularly after controversial comments made by President Kais Saied in 2023. He claimed that the influx of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa posed a threat to Tunisia’s national identity and demographics—remarks widely condemned by human rights groups and international observers.

On 25 March 2025, President Saied urged the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to speed up voluntary repatriation efforts for irregular migrants residing in Tunisia.

🌍 Tunisia: A Growing Transit Hub

Tunisia has increasingly become a key departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean. Many of them come from conflict- or poverty-stricken countries in West and Central Africa, with the hope of securing asylum or economic opportunities abroad.

According to the IOM and other humanitarian agencies:

Thousands of migrants are currently residing in makeshift camps near coastal towns.

The Central Mediterranean route remains one of the deadliest migrant pathways in the world.

🛑 Humanitarian Concerns

Rights groups have raised alarm over worsening conditions in the camps and the lack of basic services. Clashes like the one this week highlight the dire situation faced by many migrants who, without legal protections or humanitarian support, are left vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and state crackdowns.

As the situation deteriorates, pressure continues to mount on the Tunisian government and international organisations to ensure both the safety of migrants and a humane response to the ongoing crisis.