How a trek through the desert between Tunisia and Libya changed this migrant’s life forever

His real name is Mbengue Nyimbilo Crepin, but his nickname is Pato. After working for seven years at several jobs in Libya, the migrant from Cameroon decided to go to Tunisia with his wife, Fati Dosso, and their six-year-old daughter Marie.

But unlike the scores of sub-Saharan migrants who enter Tunisia aiming to cross the risky Mediterranean and find a better life in Europe, the couple just wanted to find a school for their child. Since she was born, Marie had never been to school, Pato told AFP.

The 30-year-old speaks softly and recalls better days. His life recently took an unpleasant turn after a friend showed him a picture from the internet of two bodies huddled together on the desert sand. It was of Fati and Marie.

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The three had become separated on a tiresome trek through the desert between Tunisia and Libya on a day in July. Seeking a better life, the family set off on a journey from Libya and the first time they were intercepted was on July 13 in the Tunisian town of Ben Guerdane.

They were sent back to the Libyan desert and later found a chance to re-enter Tunisia in the night. But the Tunisian police soon arrived and took them to a police station where there were several other sub-Saharans who’d been picked up, Pato said.

The family was eventually driven in a truck with other Africans back to the border. “They threatened us with guns” and told us to “go straight ahead into Libya,” Pato recalled. But in the desert, he found he had reached his limit.

Pato said he was completely exhausted at the time and convinced Fati to continue to “try to save the child at least.” He stayed behind. The picture of the two bodies comes at a time when rights groups have accused Tunisia of “expelling migrants” to its borders, despite its strong denials.