Sudanese Migrant in Sfax Shares His Struggles

Karam, a 21-year-old Sudanese youth living in the city of Sfax, Tunisia, shares his hardships with Migrant News, especially during the winter and sleeping outdoors. He calls for his voice to be heard by human rights organizations and relevant authorities to assist him and many other Sudanese migrants in finding a safe and dignified place to live.

"I reside in Tunisia in Sfax and sleep outdoors, in parks and streets. There are kind people in the city who sometimes help us with very little money, while others take from us and rob us.

I come from a family that migrated from Sudan before the war, and we are a family of ten. Being from Darfur, we were already suffering before the war. Four months ago, I arrived in Tunisia via Algeria, hoping to go to Europe and provide for my family.

The situation in Libya is extremely difficult, with no jobs, and even if found, there is significant exploitation of workers. This is also what prompted me to leave. I traveled to lighten the burden on my family and help them as well.

Deportation to the Desert

I thought the situation would be better in Tunisia. Initially, there were no problems, but when a fight broke out between the police and migrants from Nigeria and Ghana, they began to attack anyone with dark skin indiscriminately. I repeatedly told them I am from Sudan, but they didnt listen, beat me, and took the personal phones of the group I was with, about 15 people, and sent us to Algeria.

This happened at the end of October last year. We walked on foot for about ten days from the Algerian border until we managed to return to Sfax. There was no way back other than walking since there is no transportation, and people do not help us with their cars out of fear.

Attempt to Travel to Europe

I tried to travel to Europe once from Sfax, with about 30 people. We boarded the boat, but shortly after, the Tunisian coast guard stopped us and placed us in the port. They then transported us by buses to the Ben Gardane area on the border with Libya. From there, some people were transferred inside Libya, where they were placed in Ain Zara prison. Its all a matter of luck.

Discriminatory Attacks

This video documents the beating of my friend from Sudan as well. The owner of a restaurant in Sfax helped us get it. She sympathized with us and wanted to show the world part of our suffering.

We were in a café overlooking the street, and he was eating when the police came. He was scared of them, ran away while still holding bread in his hand, and started running. They caught him, beat him, and even pulled him by his hair. He was afraid of being deported to the desert. Other migrants were also in the place, and they all ran away before the police arrived, but he couldnt, so they caught him.

I follow the news and know that there is an agreement between Tunisia and Italy not to leave Tunisia. I have no problem with that and staying in Sfax, but give us our rights and allow us to live with dignity, or else let the Commission relocate us to another safe country.

The problem is that even those registered with the UNHCR are not considered. In my case, I obtained the UN card in Libya and renewed it in Tunisia. I spoke to the UNHCR, and they did not help me with anything.

In Tunisia, everything is prohibited – renting, staying, working. Thats why I sleep on the streets and in parks. I thought Tunisia would be better, but I discovered that life here is even harder.

Our suffering has increased more with the cold and rain. I wish my voice reaches human rights organizations so they know the conditions we are living in, where everything is prohibited, and there are no sources of income. Even if the Commission gives us 350 Tunisian dinars, this monthly assistance only extends for four months, and after that, they give us nothing."

*Karam is a pseudonym

Source: Migrant News, Published on: February 27, 2024