On Sunday, the Spokesman for Libya’s 19th Border Guard Regiment, Ali Wali announced that efforts have been ramped up to prevent smugglers, and ensure full control over the entire borderline.
In press statements, Wali explained that a joint coordination room has been established with the Border Guard Agency, under the Ministry of Interior to deal with the escalating migrant crisis in the border region with Tunisia.
He highlighted a key meeting with Prime Minister, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, where they discussed the necessary resources, and received an assurance of governmental backing for the Border Guards.
Notably, Wali stated that there was no ongoing communication with Tunisia, which continues to send migrants across the border. Women and children, he affirmed, are handed over to the relevant authorities and provided with all necessary services.
Earlier, Dbaiba issued directives to form a task force comprising of the Interior and Foreign Ministries, and the General Staff to coordinate efforts in handling incoming migrants from Tunisia.
The border has witnessed an increase in the number of African migrants attempting to cross into Libya, on their way to Europe.
Amid accusations of Tunisia “expelling” them and intentionally pushing them towards Libya, several migrant testimonials and video clips have emerged showing migrants stranded in the desert between the two countries. This has been vehemently denied by the Tunisian Foreign Ministry, which described these allegations as “an attack on Tunisia’s image for dubious purposes.”
Libya and Tunisia share a border stretching more than 450 kilometers. Both countries have been grappling with the migrant crisis.
Libya, since the fall of Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, has been struggling with internal conflict and political instability. This situation has made the country a major transit point for migrants, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa, who are trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.
Tunisia, on the other hand, also sees significant migrant activity. Despite being more stable, Tunisia faces its own economic and social challenges which lead many Tunisians to attempt the risky Mediterranean crossing to Europe. Furthermore, Tunisia is often used as a transit point for migrants from other African countries, heading north.
The migration issue has been a sensitive topic between the two countries. Libya accuses Tunisia of not doing enough to prevent migrants from crossing the borders. While Tunisia claims that it is managing its borders effectively, and that it is also a victim of the migration crisis.