Around 50,000 illegal African migrants including 6,000 children “wandering” in Algerian towns and cities

Sub-Saharan migrants continue attempting dangerous and illegal crossings into Algerian territory. In this connection, the Algerian League for the Defense of Human Rights (LADDH) has just launched an urgent call alerting the public opinion over the “dramatic situation” of thousands of Sub-Saharan immigrants among them women and children who have crossed illegally into Algerian territory fleeing warfare, desolation and poverty in their own countries.

“The migrants are left without any resources and abandoned in the desert without any type of protection, which suggests a flagrant violation of the international legislation,” alleges the LADDH. The human rights organization, thus, calls on the authorities “to take urgent measures to guarantee protection and assistance to these people who are in such vulnerable conditions.

“In a moment, where all eyes lying on the troubled Sahel region are focused the disturbing developments of human trafficking, organized crime and terrorism, the situation of sub-Saharan immigration has come to occupy a noiseless and unimportant priority for some of the media,” claims the representative from the LADDH, Mr Houari Kaddour.

The human rights League estimates their number at around 50,000 including 6,000 children who are present in various parts of the Algerian territory some of them logged jammed  in the south and the others wandering and being left in the lurch in towns and cities of the country with no basic living conditions at their disposal.

Informed sources said, meanwhile, that the smuggler network has grown in recent years: “Since the 1990s, there has been an endless flow of migrants travelling through Agadez to Libya and Algeria to find work, earn some money, and continue onward [to Europe]. Most arrive in Agadez broke, and are forced to do whatever they can to survive to pay these venal agents.” 

They described a well-organized smuggling operation that “rivalled any travel agency, except without the signs”.

A UN funded-Niger government study estimated at least 10 unauthorized transportation businesses – with a dozen offices and more than 50 employees – were recruiting migrant passengers.

Known locally as “Tchagga”, these sub-Saharan smugglers help the West African migrants find transportation, lodgings, and meals, bribing some corrupt officials as necessary.

The study estimated the cost of the trip could run to US$1100 per person after all the middlemen’s fees are taken into account.

The average monthly salary in much of sub-Saharan Africa is US$65, according to a 2010 UN estimate.

“Illegal Migrants failing, or not venturing, to enter Europe often prefer to settle in North Africa including Algeria as a “second-best” option, rather than return to their substantially poorer or unsafe countries of origin”.