The tragedy of migrants expelled by Algeria and abandoned in the desert
A migrant in the desert in northern Niger, January 22, 2019. (Illustrative image) AFP - SOULEYMANE AG ANARA
Text by: Jeanne Richard Follow
6 mins
Last Tuesday on RFI, Niger's Interior Minister Alkache Alhada said that discussions should take place soon with the Algerian government around the migration issue.
In particular, to address the issue of the systematic expulsion of migrants from Algeria to Niger.
These migrants are dropped off in the middle of nowhere and have to walk 15 km to reach the Niger border.
Testimony.
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In 2016, this young Cameroonian tries to flee poverty.
He was then 18 years old and decided with a friend to go north.
“
Success or death, that's what we had focused in our heads.
We had all the willpower.
At least go to a place where we can earn better and help our loved ones.
"
The road is difficult and insecurity pushes them ever further.
Until Oran in Algeria.
Finally, he tries to cross to Morocco to reach Europe.
“
20 km from the Moroccan border, an Algerian patrol took us.
"
Several people are injured, killed, while trying to flee.
Then it's expulsion.
Almost 400 of them are routed to what is called “Zero point”.
In the middle of the desert, between the Algerian and Nigerian borders.
“
When they left us, they started shooting in the air.
They said
"save who can, here is the road to Niger over there"
.
It is 15 km, without water, without anything.
And without taking into account the injured people, without taking into account the sick people who were in pain…
”
He no longer owns anything and decides to continue on his way.
But he gets lost.
And go wander in the desert.
“
We were already practically dry, we could see our death in the face.
If you walk, you don't have water my friend, you die.
"
He is lucky to be saved by a traveler who brings him back to Agadez.
It is there that it is installed today.
Several NGOs, including Médecin sans frontières, denounce this inhuman treatment.
According to the testimonies we collect, these people are first arrested during police raids or at their homes, with recourse to violence which is reported.
They are then arbitrarily detained in detention centers for days, weeks, months.
(…) Then the Algerian security forces force these people to get on buses or trucks and then drop them off at this famous “zero point”.
According to various sources, there have been people lost, some found lifeless and many who have not been heard from.
Nour El-Houda Nafti, spokesperson for MSF in the Sahel
Jeanne Richard
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International Migration
Niger
Algeria
Cameroon