Irregular migration from sub-saharan africans to North Africa: the case of Algeria

Abstract

The presence of sub-Saharan migrants in Algeria is not a new phenomenon. It took shape historically, with the establishment of family ties between Tuareg communities and the settlement of sub-Saharan populations in southern Algeria. It has evolved, since the independence of Algeria, with the implementation of urbanization projects in the Sahara. A diversification of flows and a reconstruction of migratory projects are observed.

This analysis reveals the effects of these new migration flows to Algeria on three levels. First, a theorical overview shows the gaps between facts and non-evidence narratives on sub-Saharan irregular migration flows. Then, an in-depth examination of the Algerian legal system is presented to discard non-scientific discourses and to highlight legal actions undertaken to combat irregular migration. Finally, a new profile of sub-Saharan irregular labour migrants is constructed on the basis of a recent multisite survey on 505 sub-Saharan workers (2022) in Algeria. This survey expands the new knowledge on these migrations compared to the results obtained by the CISP/SARP run in 2005. These labour migrants are more inclined, according to our results, to transit through the country rather than to return home.

Keywords: Algeria; Irregular migration; Legislative system; Securisation; Sub-Saharan migrants; Transit migration.