Concerned about the increasing number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean, on June 10, Tunisian President Kais Saied announced that his country would not become a border guard force for Europe.
On June 10, Tunisian President Kais Saied said that his country will not accept becoming a border guard force for other countries.
His statement came ahead of a visit by European leaders to Tunisia amid concerns over rising numbers of migrants crossing the Mediterranean.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will offer aid when they visit Tunisia on June 11, as the North African country faces a public finance crisis.
During a visit to the port city of Sfax, a departure point for migrants trying to reach Italy by boat, President Saied said: "The solution will not be detrimental to Tunisia... we cannot be the protectors of their country."
Credit rating agency Fitch on June 9 downgraded Tunisia's debt further to "junk" status, highlighting the possibility that the country will default on its loans, causing a collapse of public finances and potentially widespread hardship.
European countries fear that will add to the wave of migration across the Mediterranean this year, especially from Tunisia.
But the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout has been stalled for months, with Saied refusing to implement the economic reforms needed to unlock the loans. Donor countries have urged him to change course, and Italy has urged the IMF to finalize the loan.
Dangerous Mediterranean crossings spiked after President Saied announced a crackdown on sub-Saharan migrants in February using language denounced by the African Union as racist./.
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