Gambians are among migrants whose makeshift camp has been set ablaze by the Tunisian Police.

A disturbing video seen by Gambiana showed the remains of a burnt down migrant makeshift camp emitting smoke.

The video also showed the makeshift camp is not within a settlement of people, as it looks like these migrants live in a forest area.

A Gambian migrant who spoke to Gambiana but begged for anonymity  for his safety, described their situation as “pathetic” and the “heinously brutal”behaviours of the Tunisian Police towards other African migrants.  

“The Tunisian Police have burnt down our makeshift camp sheltering migrants. They ransacked our belongings and took away all our money. These people are real evil. We don’t even know what is the reason for this much hate from the Tunisian authorities and their people,” he told Gambiana exclusively. 

“If anyone who missed hearing from your relative knows that he is [either) jailed or killed. We spent the night in the rain because we don’t have anywhere to sleep. These people are evil, they have burnt down all our properties except our praying mats. We are currently left with nothing,” he added.

He expressed disappointment in African governments including the government of the Gambia for not doing enough in holding Tunisian government to account for their inhumane treatment of African migrants on a passage trip.

“I don’t know if the African governments are able to sleep comfortably when their citizens are being heinously treated in other countries like Tunisia. We are not in this country to stay, rather we are on a passage trip. So, why can’t they be allowed to live in peace? Besides, they will claim to call for unification of Africa,” he said.

The affected migrants include 13 Gambians, 10 Bissau Guineans, 7 Senegalese and some other nationalities.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba