In Tunisia, the question of immigration is still very present in favor of an economic crisis that is dragging on. In July, around 4,000 people reached Italy from Tunisia. Almost 60% are Tunisians, of which 20% are minors. RFI met one of these young candidates at the start.
In the district of Bab Souika, in Tunis, there is no need to search long to find young people who are thinking of leaving the country. Maher, 25, lives in these suburbs of Medina and has only this idea in mind:
“Obviously, I would like to emigrate to improve my situation, like everyone here. People want to leave, in any way, even illegally.”
Is he afraid? ” What’s the problem?” If I die in the sea, I don’t mind. Either way, it’s like living here. It wouldn’t make a difference. If God decides so, I will die…”
A future for his daughter
They are very numerous in this case. The phenomenon is growing according to local migrant rights organizations. The economic crisis accentuated by the Covid-19 pandemic has not reduced the desire to leave. “The young people in my neighborhood have all left. There are those who have arrived and others who have died.”
Maher is tall, dark in complexion, tattoos on his legs. He does not have a diploma and cannot find a job. Divorced for lack of being able to feed his household, he wishes for a better life for his daughter.
“Myself, if I had a boy, I would send him abroad because here it’s like being in prison. “My daughter, if I see that there is no future for her, I will smuggle her away. And if I have to, I’ll accompany him on the boat.”
In July, nearly 4,000 migrants from Tunisia arrived on the Italian coast.
