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North Africa: Algeria Border Woes Affect Region

by Nazim Fethi

Algiers – Algeria is preparing for worst-case scenarios, due to the deterioration of conditions in the Sahel.

Mounting concerns over border security led Algeria to toughen its stance towards illegal immigrants.

But more than just refugees try to cross borders in times of conflict, an officer from the Border Guard Group (GGF) tells Magharebia.

„Smugglers follow the same routes, and terrorist groups that thrive in these huge areas also benefit,“ says the officer, who asks to be identified only by his initials, S.L.

„So the Algerian government has made a choice between humanitarian considerations and security considerations,“ the border guard adds.

The first convoy of 300 Nigerien illegal immigrants sent out of Algeria, mostly children and women, arrived Tuesday night (December 10th) in Arlit, AFP reported.

In total, some 3,000 migrants „unemployed and who unfortunately live by begging“, should be repatriated from Algeria, Nigerien Prime Minister Brigi Rafini said a fortnight ago.

The migrant issue is part of Algeria’s broad-reaching security strategy. Over the past few months, not a day has gone by without the defence ministry publishing news of arrests of illegal migrants, smugglers and even terrorists in border regions.

Algeria has long been aware of the link between terrorists and traffickers. Former al-Qaeda emir Mokhtar Belmokhtar (aka Laaouar) was dubbed the „Marlboro Man“ for his cigarette-smuggling network across the Sahel and North Africa.

He may be running his revamped terror brigade out of Libya now, but everyone remembers that he’s an Algerian. And he got his start in the desert.

Border security was the focus of a two-day meeting in Ouargla that wrapped up on December 5th. The deputy defence minister, along with police and gendarmerie chiefs, strategised about how to deal with any threat emanating from the east, across the long border with Tunisia and Libya.

Ahmed Gaïd Salah, chief of staff of the People’s National Army (ANP), met with troops operating in the 4th Military Region and thanked them for their work to preserve the territorial integrity of the country.

He urged them to stay vigilant.

Algeria hardens border policy

Refugees from conflict zones remain a concern in Algeria. When the Mali crisis erupted, Algeria suspended the forced repatriation of sub-Saharan migrants. And when the Syria war escalated, Algeria took in thousands of refugees.

Things are very different now. The government decided to revise its policy by introducing an entry visa system for Syrians. It has also begun to repatriate sub-Saharans, including the first few groups from Niger.

Many immigrants fear that they will pay the price for this tougher Algerian stance. Boubakar Souleymane, who arrived from Senegal two years ago, is worried.

„Immigrants are being stigmatised,“ he says. „If there’s terrorism, it’s their fault. If there is an epidemic, it’s their fault. But we’re not doing any harm; we just want to work so that we and our families can live.“

Libyans, meanwhile, continue to flee to Algeria.

Tin Alkoum, a border crossing in the middle of the desert, some 2,000 kilometres from Algiers, is the only land route still open for Libyan casualties. The smell of war is omnipresent here.

The Algerian government decided to reopen this border crossing solely for the sick and other Libyan war casualties. They can only cross if they present valid passports with a stamp from the Libyan authorities.

„There is no way we will allow suspicious persons to enter,“ a duty officer tells Magharebia.

There is cause to be concerned.

„All the signs are that the Sahel region is being transformed into a haven for terrorism, especially since the announcement that a terrorist group affiliated with Islamic State has sprung up in the Libyan town of Derna,“ says Mokhtar Bourouina, a writer and analyst.

In his view, the recent neutralisation of ten terrorists in Tamanrasset demonstrates that traffickers and criminals are still trying to transport Libyan arms to northern Mali across the southern Algeria desert.

According to Abdelaziz Rahabi, an ex-diplomat and former minister of communication, Western nations are doing everything possible to encourage Algeria to play a role in maintaining stability in the Sahel region and Libya.

But Ahmed Adimi, a former official and political analyst, notes the lack of effort made by Algerian diplomats during the previous events that rocked Arab nations and Mali.

„Algeria should have been pragmatic and opted for preventive diplomacy and anticipated events,“ he says.

„Instead of waiting for crises to happen, we could have reacted,“ Adimi adds.

Illegal trading and fraudulent practices have always flourished in the two border provinces. But the situation appears to be getting a little more complicated.

The confused situation in neighbouring Libya, where motley factions are sharing out a large arsenal of weapons, has sparked a red alert at border crossings.

In particular, it is feared that links may be forged between smuggling gangs protected by unseen bigwigs, and terrorist groups across the mountainous area that Algeria shares with its neighbours to the east.

The increased presence of all branches of the security services (army, gendarmerie, police and customs) is now clearly visible everywhere in the far eastern region.

Debdeb fears Libya spill-over

Security forces are not just on the lookout for terrorists and arms traffickers. Immigrant convoys are also being closely monitored, especially since the discovery of Syrian groups headed for Libya.

According to a source within the National Gendarmerie, groups of people are moving at a considerable scale in the country’s border regions.

In addition to the 200 Syrian refugees who were arrested a few days ago, thirty other Syrians were intercepted in Debdeb, in the Illizi district of In Amenas.

Once they had arranged to meet Algerian traffickers, these thirty Syrians – including five children and some women -were bussed in the direction of Libya, where militias were waiting for them.

According to the gendarmerie, the Syrians were intercepted on a secondary road leading to Libya.

When questioned, the refugees told gendarmes that the trip was handled by Algerian traffickers in contact with Libyan militiamen.

Debdeb residents express their exasperation over the tense situation in Libya and their fears that the conflict may spread in their direction.

Djemaa Belbachir, a casual trader, says: „We are already affected, and have been since the border crossing was closed.“

„People here make their living from trade between border towns, but the arrival of large numbers of immigrants of all nationalities has distorted everything,“ he complains.

„Now everyone is under suspicion,“ he tells Magharebia. „We are hoping that things will soon get back to normal in Libya so that we can start living the way we used to.“

The township has tuned into a military outpost. All eyes are focused on what is happening in Algeria’s eastern neighbour.