Tunisian political party calls on State to reintroduce visa requirement to Sub-Saharan migrants

Centre-right political party Afek Tounes, called on Tunisian authorities to re-impose visa requirements to Sub-Saharan migrants as part of measures to stem arrival of flows of migrants from South Saharan African countries who use the North African country as transit to reach Europe’s southern coasts.
The party, “Webdo Tunis” reports, in a statement, also calls on the authorities to adopt transparent policies for the movement and repatriation of Sub-Saharan migrants. The North African scraped in 2013 visa requirement for several Sub-Saharan countries.
The call comes amid an acute migration crisis. Tunisia has seen this year an alarming domestic discontent against the presence of Sub-Saharan migrants.
This week, tensions further flared up between residents in the city of Sfax and Sub Saharan migrants. Human Rights Watch Thursday indicated that at least 500 Sub Saharan migrants have been expulsed since July 2.
New York-based rights advocacy group also indicated that the migrants have also been subject to beatings between Tunisian security forces. At least 60 Sub-Saharans have been arrested this week in Sfax. Wednesday the Court of First instance of Sfax reportedly indicated 33 illegal migrants were arrested and four other Tunisians also detained for housing them. Earlier, this week 34 Sub-Saharans were also arrested for illegal sojourn in Tunisia.