The Mediterranean Sea: African Migrant Crossings Nearly Double
Sudan Events – Agencies
The number of irregular migrants arriving in Italy via the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa has reached around 114,300 between January and August, nearly double the figure for the same period in 2022, according to figures announced by “Frontex” on Thursday.
In addition to Libya, Tunisia is a departure point for thousands of migrants crossing the Mediterranean towards Europe and arriving in Italy. This dangerous migration route accounts for “half of the total irregular arrivals to the European Union so far this year,” according to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
Migrants arriving via the central Mediterranean route are mostly from Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, and Guinea, according to these sources.
Frontex added in its statement that “the increasing migration pressure on this route may continue in the coming months, as smugglers lower prices for migrants departing from Libya and Tunisia, amid intense competition between criminal groups.” More than 2,000 people have died or gone missing since the beginning of the year while attempting to cross, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
On Thursday, the Italian government indicated that around 126,000 migrants had arrived on Italian shores since the start of the year, compared to 66,000 during the same period last year.
In July, the European Union signed a partnership agreement with Tunisia, in the presence of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, aiming to reduce the number of arrivals from Tunisia. The agreement included aid worth several hundred million euros. This deal sparked significant controversy due to Tunisia’s authoritarian shift in power and the abuses committed against sub-Saharan migrants in Tunisia. Criticism intensified on Thursday after Tunisian authorities refused to allow a delegation of European parliamentarians to enter the country.
Italy’s island of Lampedusa, located less than 150 km from the Tunisian coast, has faced a significant influx of migrants in recent days, welcoming over 7,000 people, equal to the number of local residents.
