Niger to Algeria – the deadly migration route

Assamaka, a town in Northern Niger, underwent a major change in 2025, becoming a point of forced arrival for any migrants deported from Algeria, as reported by Atalayar and agencies on January 27th.

According to data from Alarm Phone Sahara (APS), more than 34,000 people were expelled from this border throughout the year. In some situations, the scenarios were considered dangerous or extreme, and even inhumane.

Deportation occurs in one of two ways: the first is official convoys escorted by Algerian security forces, and the second is an unregistered practice in which migrants are usually left at a ‘point zero‘, a desert area many kilometres from the nearest town.

From this point onward, people of all ages must walk in extreme weather conditions exceeding 40 degrees Celsius; men, women, and even children must undertake the journey, with limited access to water, food, and health services.

Many deportees, who came from countries such as Nigeria, Guinea and Cameroon in West and Central Africa, have not been formally identified and have not had the opportunity to access asylum procedures.

Human rights organisations usually say this violates basic principles of international law, particularly when it comes to refugees seeking international protection.

The humanitarian impact in Niger is severe, which demands attention. People are facing difficult situations and need support. In 2025, many deaths were reported as a result of deportations, including cases of dehydration, physical violence and family separation.

The situation has arisen from the political and economic context in Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, which is now suffering from regional instability and international sanctions.

It was reported in June 2025 that Algeria had expelled upwards of 16,000 irregular migrants to Niger since April of the same year. In July, it was reported that 104 Nigerian migrants had been repatriated from Algeria as part of a voluntary return initiative, facilitated through the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Nigerian Federal Government.

Despite the migration being an official convoy or through unregistered practices, both ways count as expulsion and are dangerous for all the refugees, regardless of their situations. Not only are adults, but children also are suffering in the refugee expulsion.

Atalayar and agencies, Maghrebi.org