Several developments have contributed to Tunisia’s transformation into a transit point for African migrants, including its porous borders, inconsistent migration policies, the proliferation of xenophobic attitudes, and deteriorating economic conditions.

Since 2011, Tunisia has been heading for a macroeconomic crisis—large deficits, shrinking fiscal space, and difficult negotiations with the IMF. In this election year, policymakers face high stakes: A hard economic adjustment risks sociopolitical crisis, but without correction, the country faces a future economic meltdown.

The Middle East and North Africa have been hit by food, energy, and debt crises that have exacerbated structural economic weaknesses of low- and middle-incomes countries, particularly Egypt, Tunisia, and Lebanon.

The food, energy, and debt crises in the Middle East and North Africa have exacerbated structural economic weaknesses of low- and middle-income countries—particularly Egypt, Tunisia, and Lebanon—creating mounting pressure on domestic political orders and worsening these countries’ geopolitical marginalization.

On the third anniversary of the Abraham Accords, an already fractured region is divided further over the prospects of peace.

To understand the underlying factors contributing to the surge in irregular migration from and through Tunisia, the Malcolm H. Kerr Middle East Center and The Global Initiative are organising a joint event on Wednesday, 12 July at 4:00 PM EEST with Tasnim Abderrahim, Hamza Meddeb, and Anna Knoll.