In theory, Tunisia could be a prime location for housing asylum seekers rejected by the European Union.

Such a model could replicate the UK's recent "Rwanda plan" that aims to transfer the kingdom's rejected asylum seekers to Africa.

In practice, however, this is unlikely to happen in Tunisia, even though its shores have long turned into popular departure points for aspiring migrants from North African and sub-Saharan countries en route to Europe.

Earlier in April, Tunisian President Kais Saied reiterated during a national security meeting that Tunisia "will become neither a center nor a crossing point" for sub-Saharan migrants, nor, he said, would it accept migrants "deported from Europe."

Though it is not the first time Saied has made such statements, this time, and despite the obvious contradiction — namely that the European Union and Italy in particular are actively seeking to limit migration from Tunisia, while Tunisia is clear about not wanting to host more departing or returning migrants — Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni strongly supported him in rejecting what has been referred to as a Tunisian "Rwanda plan."

In particular, her backing came just after agreeing to three new accords with Tunisia as part of Italy's "Mattei Plan" for Africa — a €105 million ($111.7 million), continent-wide strategy aimed at growing economic opportunities and........

© Deutsche Welle