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Algeria refuses to establish centres for illegal immigrants

July 2, 2018 at 3:43 am

Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia

Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia said that Algeria “would not accept the establishment of illegal immigration centres” on its territories, Saturday.

On his arrival on Saturday evening at the International Conference Hall, for the 31st Summit of African Union Presidents and Governments, Ouyahia told a press conference: “Algeria’s position on this issue has been already expressed two days ago by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdelkader Messahel. Algeria will not accept the establishment of any such centres of this kind.”

In an interview with French radio RFI on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel talked about the immigration crisis saying that “Algeria is unlikely to open any detention area,” this is because Algeria is facing the same problems as Europe.

Messahel explained that, “It is unlikely that Algeria will open any detention area whereas we face the same problems. We are carrying out deportation operations, but we are doing so in accordance with arrangements with neighbouring countries.” He pointed out that when it comes to illegal immigration, “we need to understand things well.”

Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia reiterated Algeria’s desire for the African Union to settle the crisis in southern Sudan.

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