Tunisia, Land of Passage

Spotlight on French and European funding in Tunisia. Is migration cooperation at the expense of human rights? In this episode, we hear from Sophie Duval, former advocacy officer at the NGO CCFD Terre Solidaire, who sheds light on the funding directed towards Tunisia. Through the projects and increasing amounts since 2015, it seems that the EU and its member states, including France, are particularly keen to continue their support for migration matters unconditionally.

Journalist: Eléonore Plé 

Director: Charlotte Glorieux 

Production: Specto Média

Original idea, execution, production, and post-production by Specto Média.

Translation, production of articles, and profiles by aidóni.

"30,000 deaths, that's 30,000 deaths recorded in the Mediterranean since 2014, making it the largest graveyard in the world for those in exile. Sadly, this figure is likely much higher.

Tunisia, along with Libya, is the main departure point for thousands of exiled people seeking to reach Europe. The nearest Italian shores, including the island of Lampedusa, are less than 150 km from the Sfax region. Throughout the year 2023, the number of individuals intercepted by Tunisian authorities reached 70,000, more than double compared to the same period the previous year, according to the spokesperson for the National Guard. In detail, over 54,000 individuals were foreign nationals, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, and the remaining were Tunisians, over 15,000.

In this episode, we hear from Tunisians eager to leave their country, from those fighting to uncover the truth about a missing relative, and from exiles who have taken to the sea, recounting the horror of the journey.

Journalist: Eléonore Plé

Sound Production: Norma Suzanne

Original Composition: Norma Suzanne

Production: Specto Média"

Original idea, execution, production, and post-production by Specto Média.Translation, production of articles, and profiles by aidóni.

The Tunisian Revolution took place in 2011. In just 28 days, the Tunisians rid themselves of the dictator, Ben Ali. It was 28 days of protest and repression. On Friday, December 17, 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old street vendor of fruits and vegetables, set himself on fire in front of the governor's office in Sidi Bouzid, a city of 40,000 inhabitants in central Tunisia. Unbeknownst to him, this act by a young man, vulnerable to a corrupt administration that regularly confiscated or destroyed his means of livelihood, sparked a widespread movement. Between December 2010 and January 2011, we all followed from a distance as this revolution unfolded on our computer screens, so significant were social media in this liberating movement. What happened in the aftermath of the revolution? In this episode, we will analyze the authoritarian drift of Kaïs Saïed and his migration policy.

Guest: Hatem Nafti

Production: Specto Média

Journalist: Eléonore Plé

English dubbed version : Isobel Cohen, Méline Laffabry, Rogerio Simoes

Sound Production: Norma Suzanne

Original idea, execution, production, and post-production by Specto Média.Translation, production of articles, and profiles by aidóni.

In this second episode of our series "Tunisia, Land of Passage," Eléonore, the founder of Specto, travels to the Tunisian-Algerian border. There, she meets individuals in exile and a smuggler for an exclusive interview.

Directed by: Eléonore Plé

Sound Production: Norma Suzanne

Graphic Design: Baptiste Cazaubon and Amandine Beghoul

Production: Specto Média

Original idea, execution, production, and post-production by Specto Média.Translation, production of articles, and profiles by aidóni.

Through this immersive audio documentary, we delve into the migratory situation of this country, which has become untenable in recent months. My on-the-ground investigation at the Tunisian borders has enabled me to gather testimonies from numerous Sub-Saharan exiles facing tragic hardships, as well as Tunisians desperate to leave the country. This podcast series also sheds light on the Tunisian political context, European funding, and press freedom.

In this first episode, we hear from Nouroudine, Kamal, and Mohammed. Hailing from Nigeria, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone, they recount the violence and challenges they encounter, tracing a part of their journey until their arrival in Tunisia, where all dream of one thing: building a better life in Europe. In Tunis, outside the premises of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), I meet Nouroudine and Kamal. They reside in a makeshift camp, sleeping in tents in hopes of receiving assistance from this organisation.

Directed by: Eléonore Plé
Sound Production: Norma Suzanne
Graphic Design: Baptiste Cazaubon and Amandine Beghoul
Production: Specto Média

Original idea, execution, production, and post-production by Specto Média.
Translation, production of articles, and profiles by aidóni.