260 Malians expelled by ‘racist’ Algerian security forces

Over 260 Malians have been expelled from Algeria under stricter measures to curb illegal African migrants from living in the North African country.

Expelled yesterday after their arrest in the capital Algiers, the Malians accused Algerian security forces of using brutal force resulting in many injuries and even deaths.

“We were beaten up and at least three Malians were killed,” migrant Ousmane Coulibaly said as part of the group forcibly returned to Mali overnight. Coulibaly also accused Algerian authorities of “racism”.

The Malian government criticised the ill-treatment of the migrants and said it will launch an inquiry into the alleged deaths, according to Malian official Issa Togo.

Amnesty International also called for an immediate investigation.

After their arrest, the migrants were kept in yards at detention centres were many were injured trying to escape from the continued beatings, according to Coulibaly.

A witness account from another migrant, Moussa Kante, explained how the deportees “lacked water and food”.

“When we were being sent to Niger they gave us one loaf for 40 people,” Kante explained. Another migrant explained how they were gathered up “in trucks generally used to gather sand”.

Those arrested included migrants with official papers who also had their money and phones confiscated.

Algerian authorities are yet to comment on the operation. Around 150,000 migrants have fled war and economic difficulties to make a new life in Algeria. However, only 7,000 people currently hold refugee status in Algeria, according to Algerian police.

The migrants who enter illegally are usually arrested in northern Algeria and then transported to Tamanrasset before being sent back to their respective countries.