According to the Italian agency Ansa, Tunisia has expressed the need for increased support from the International Organization for Migration (OIM) in order to intensify the efforts of voluntary repatriation of irregular migrants. This request was made during a meeting between the Tunisian Minister of the Interior, Khaled Nouri, and the director general of the IOM, Amy Pope, on a working visit to Tunisia on May 5 and 6, 2025.
During this interview, the Tunisian authorities emphasized the urgency to accelerate the voluntary repatriation program to limit the security, economic and social consequences of irregular migration. “Tunisia will not be a transit point or a base for irregular migrants,” reiterated Khaled Nouri, stressing that Tunisian policy is based on compliance with international human rights standards.
The Minister also insisted on the need for a collective and humanitarian approach to resolve this phenomenon, by approaching its deep causes and intensifying regional and international efforts to fight against the trafficking of human beings.
The IOM welcomed Tunisia’s efforts in the field of voluntary repatriation and confirmed its commitment to continue supporting migrants. Amy Pope has announced that the organization will intensify its awareness campaigns with irregular migrants in order to encourage them to return voluntarily to their countries of origin, while supporting development projects in these regions.
Since the beginning of 2025, around 1,544 migrants have benefited from voluntary returns to their countries of origin, an effort which continues with regular flights scheduled each month. In 2024, nearly 7,250 migrants had been repatriated as part of this program.
