Algeria has once again begun expelling migrants. «A total of 1,141 migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, arrived last Saturday in Assamaka, in northern Niger, after being expelled by Algerian authorities», a member of a local NGO told EFE. «This is the first group of migrants, which includes 41 women and 12 children, according to a count by Assamaka police working with local humanitarian organizations», the source said. The expelled migrants come from 17 different countries, including 20 Nigeriens, 70 Beninese, 54 Burkinabe, and 24 Cameroonians, along with Ivorians, Gambians, Guineans, Nigerians, Somalis, Sudanese, and Bangladeshis. The provisional count shows that around 4,000 people have been expelled since the start of April. In Algeria, this new wave of expulsions has been accompanied by racist messages on social media, including «Algeria for Algerians» and «The people demand the expulsion of sub-Saharan migrants», reports local media. For political reasons, Malian refugees, particularly Tuaregs living in Algeria, are exempt from these measures. Algiers supports the Azawad armed opposition against the transitional government in Mali. In 2024, Algeria expelled more than 30,000 migrants in irregular situations to Niger, compared to 26,000 in 2023.
