The statement comes in the aftermath of an attack on migrants in the city of Sfax in which one migrant was killed and four others injured. Over 20,000 migrants from sub-Saharan countries are estimated to be living in Tunisia

Most occupants of the twin boats that sank were migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, who are facing rising racism in Tunisia following the government’s crackdown against their presence in the country 

Last week, Tunisian President Kais Saied blamed migrants from Sub-Saharan African countries for causing disturbances in Tunisia and being part of a “plot” to change the country’s demographics

The migrants were intercepted by Spanish security personnel patrolling the borders and at least 5,600 were sent back to Morocco by May 19. Meanwhile, hundreds of unaccompanied migrant children remain stranded in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta

WHO head for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, warned governments against ignoring other diseases, quoting a study stating that malaria deaths in Africa could double to close to 769,000 this year if preventive measures are not implemented on time