Tunis: Some 242 Ivorian migrants departed Tunisia on Friday evening, marking the largest group to return under the country's voluntary return programme aimed at addressing irregular migration. The migrants boarded a Tunisair flight from the Pilgrims Terminal at Tunis-Carthage Airport, facilitated by the programme initiated by Tunisia since June 2025. According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, the voluntary return programme is overseen by Tunisia's Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the National Guard General Directorate and the Tunisian Red Crescent. This approach integrates humanitarian and legal elements to manage the complex issue of irregular migration, which has become increasingly challenging in regions like Elamra and Jbeniana in the governorate of Sfax. On the day of departure, five buses transported the migrants from the El-Amra camp in Sfax to the airport terminal. The camp serves as a shelter and gathering point for migrants wishing to return to their home countries. The scene was poignant , as young migrants carried their belongings, embodying exhaustion but also hope for a fresh start. Tunisia's strategy involves organizing the return of migrants while ensuring compliance with legal protocols and humanitarian principles. The National Guard General Directorate established the voluntary return camp in Elamra amidst olive groves on state-owned land. The camp offers temporary accommodation, healthcare, and social support, aided by Tunisian Red Crescent volunteers. The national programme aims to expedite repatriation processes for migrants, responding to growing demand due to long waiting periods seen in other international programmes. Since its inception, the programme has facilitated the voluntary return of over four thousand migrants, with flights regularly departing to various sub-Saharan African countries. Local sources at the Elamra camp noted that the Tunisian programme offers significantly shorter waiting periods, averaging two weeks, compared to up to a year under other programmes. Thi s efficiency has led to a reduction in informal camps and a shift in migrants' perspectives, with many now opting to return home rather than endure uncertain conditions. The programme has been instrumental in altering the landscape of migration in Tunisia, where authorities continue to balance enforcement with compassion, offering migrants a dignified pathway back to their countries.