Tunis: Fifty-one irregular migrants from sub-Saharan African countries were repatriated to their countries of origin on Sunday as part of the voluntary return programme implemented by the Ministry of the Interior in coordination with various national bodies and relevant international organisations. According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, reports from a TAP correspondent present at Tunis-Carthage International Airport revealed that over half of those deported on June 14 were young people aged between 18 and 30. This group included not only young adults but also women and children, as confirmed by the flight supervisor to TAP. Statements provided to TAP by a number of returnees from countries such as Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Benin indicated that the decision to return was made after failing to achieve their goals of migrating to Italy. They considered returning to their home countries the only viable solution following their unsuccessful attempts to reach Europe. One returning migrant woman e xpressed that her decision to return, although difficult, was necessary. She chose to return with her children after months of displacement and instability, hoping to start afresh upon arrival. Another returnee thanked the Tunisian authorities for facilitating her return after her business venture, a women's hairdressing salon, failed. Upon her return to Guinea, she plans to rebuild her life and settle down with her family. The Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme, conducted by Tunisia in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has assisted 22,377 irregular migrants from 2022 to May 2026, including 2,103 migrants in the first months of 2026. The IOM reported helping over 5,000 migrants voluntarily return from Tunisia to their home countries during 2025, including 1,096 migrants in July of that year. The voluntary return programme is a globally recognised mechanism for facilitating the return of irregular migrants wishing to go back to their countries of origin. It oper ates on the principle of free consent without coercion, providing essential administrative and logistical support to ensure returns are conducted with dignity and safety. This programme aligns with international human rights laws and migration-related conventions, underscoring the importance of respecting human dignity and ensuring the voluntary nature of such returns while considering individual circumstances and protection needs.