Tunisian Minister Acknowledges Forced Migration into Desert No Man's Land

Tunisia's interior minister admitted that small groups of sub-Saharan migrants attempting to enter the country are pushed back into the desert border areas with Libya and Algeria, but denied allegations of mistreatment. While there are no collective deportations, the minister acknowledged that small groups without papers are pushed back. Tensions have risen between the local population and migrants in Tunisia's eastern coast, with security forces removing some migrants from the city and reportedly abandoning them in the desert. President Kais Saied has fueled anti-migrant sentiment, claiming an organ trafficking business has emerged around migrants. The minister stated that the short-term solution is to return migrants to their home countries in cooperation with human rights organizations.