Niger aims to halt Algeria’s “aggressive” approach of arresting, deporting, and forsaking sub-Saharan migrants at the Saharan borders.
In a press release on April 3, Niger’s foreign ministry criticised the widespread police crackdowns targeting Sub-Saharan Africans, including numerous Nigeriens, residing in Tamanrasset, Southern Algeria, citing disregard for their physical safety and property security.
Videos shared on the ministry’s Facebook page depicted groups of Nigeriens in Algeria being transported by trucks towards the border or left stranded in the desert on foot, some visibly injured with bandages.
In response to the escalating situation, Nigerien officials have summoned representatives from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to address the issue.
In reply, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contested Niamey’s statement, alleging that it contained “unsubstantiated claims,” leading them to summon the Nigerien Ambassador to Algeria, Amino Malam Manzo.
In its statement, Algiers “reminded” Niamey that such matters “should be addressed within a bilateral and cooperative framework”.
“We reiterate Algeria’s dedication to the fundamental principles of good neighbourliness and its readiness to maintain coordination with Niger regarding this migration-related matter,” Algiers’ statement further stated.
However, the press release did not acknowledge or provide clarification regarding the situation of the migrants depicted in the videos shared by Niamey.
In the initial quarter of 2024, Algeria expelled over 17,000 migrants into the desert along its border with Niger, as reported by the Alarm Phone Sahara Association.
This isn’t the first instance of such accusations against Algeria. The North African nation has a reputation for leaving migrants stranded in the Sahara desert to fend for themselves.
Each year, Algeria forcibly expels thousands of sub-Saharan Africans to Niger, abandoning them at a location known as Point-Zero on the border within the vast Sahara desert, a few hours’ journey by foot south of the Nigerien village of Assamaka.
Last year alone, Algeria deported 26,000 migrants to this zone. Between January and March 2023, 4,677 migrants arrived in Assamaka on foot after being deported from Algeria and left stranded in the desert.
Upon arrival, fewer than 15 percent of them were able to access shelter or protection.
Since 2020, approximately 30 bodies have been discovered north of Assamaka, according to InfoMigrants.
In recent years, teams from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders – MSF) have initiated search operations whenever reports of a “pedestrian convoy” arise, aiming to prevent migrants from becoming lost and succumbing to exhaustion in the desert.
Multiple sources assert that Algeria and Niger have a ‘readmission’ agreement dating back to 2014, although this agreement has never been disclosed to the public.
Despite the military coup in Niger last June, relations between Algiers and Niamey have deteriorated.
In contrast, the Nigerien Junta vehemently rejected Algeria’s proposed mediation last October, shortly after Algiers announced the finalisation of a six-month transition agreement with the junta.
In recent years, Algeria has been actively pursuing closer relations with the Sahel state, particularly as part of its efforts to establish a Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline linking Nigeria to Algeria’s Mediterranean coast via Niger.
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