Compiled Articles and Reports on North African Irregular Migration

Between 2015 and 2018, 110,803 irregular migrants from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya were apprehended at sea or in littoral areas by EU nations, western Balkan states, Algeria, and Tunisia. 74,713 of the apprehensions took place in 2017 and 2018, underscoring the rapid escalation of the Maghrebi migration trend.

Over the last several years I've conducted several cross-regional research projects on North African irregular migration, looking at drivers and the routes and means used by the migrants to get to Europe. Another project is underway, with results to be released in the Spring of 2019. 

In advance of that, this post offers some recent reports, articles, commentary, and media interviews I've done on the subject.

Reports, Commentary, and Graphics

"Tunisia isn’t a migrant transit country – yet," ISS Today, Institute for Security Studies. Co-authored with Max Gallien (August 2018).

“Irregular Migrants & Facilitators Intercepted by Tunisian MOI & MOD (June 2017 - June 2018),” La Línea, (June 12, 2018). 

“The Top Refugee Issues to Watch in 2018,” Refugees Deeply (January 12, 2018).

“Out of the Streets and Into the Boats: Tunisia’s Irregular Migration Surge,” MENASource, The Atlantic Council. Co-Authored with Max Gallien (November 2017).

“At the Edge: Trends and Routes of North African Clandestine Migrants,” Institute for Security Studies and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime (November 2016).

 

Interviews & Media Commentary

Naiara Galarraga Gortázar, “Italia también patrulla el Estrecho,” El Pais, 03 September 2018.

Agence Presse France, “Tunisie: arrestation de 50 candidats à l’émigration clandestine,” 11 February 2018.

Agenzia Nova, “Immigrazione: boom di nordafricani in Italia nel 2017, oltre 15 mila ingressi nel 2017,” 12 January 2018.

Sofian Philip Naceur, “Jagd auf Migranten,” Junge Welt, 10 October 2017.

Alan Clendenning and Vanessa Gera, “Rubber dinghies, old fishing boats feed Europe migrant rush,” Associated Press, 23 April 2015.

Recent Interviews on Tunisia's Security Situation

In addition to my writings on Tunisia’s security dynamics and challenges, I’ve provided interviews in recent months to Jeune Afrique, The Washington Post, and Le Monde which offer further analysis on the situation.

  • Jeune Afrique, “Attentat de Tunis : « Cette attaque ne fait pas de la Tunisie un pays moins sûr »,” 31 October 2018. Click here for the article.

  • The Washington Post, “Tunisia feared the return of militants from abroad. The threat now is those who never left,” 08 September 2018. Click here for the article.

  • Jeune Afrique, “Tunisie: « Il faut mener à bien la réforme globale du secteur de la sécurité »,” 14 July 2018. Click here for the article.

  • Le Monde, “La plus grande menace des djihadistes de l’Ouest tunisien est leur capacité de résilience,” 10 July 2018. Click here for the article.

The Butcher’s Bill: Cocaine trafficking in North Africa

As routes used by cocaine traffickers shift to North Africa, a large cocaine shipment intercepted in Algeria has roiled the country’s security services and Algerian politics. This analysis delves into the Oran seizure, highlights the rise of cocaine trafficking through North Africa, and discusses the likely impact of the trend. Published by The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, the full article can be found here.

Tunisia isn’t a migrant transit country – yet

 

The last year has seen a significant decline in irregular migrant departures from Libya and a steep rise in departures from Tunisia. This article disabuses the persistent claim there's a link between the two phenomenon, explains why, and argues that Tunisia needs an open policy debate on how to handle transit migration. Published by ISS Today, it can be accessed here.