THE SISYPHUS COMPLEX OF SUB-SAHARAN MIGRANTS IN ALGERIA

Abstract

People’s movement across borders has become increasingly regulated over the past few decades. Migration went from being a normal phenomenon that is often discussed in the political field to more and more being debated in the security field. Securitization of migration has been the unfortunate response to people’s irregular movement across borders, be it to seek asylum or search for a better life.

Algeria has significantly securitized migration starting 2008 after passing law 08-11 that turned the act of migrating irregularly, whether in or out of the country, illegal and punishable by law. One of the punishments set for migrants who enter the country in irregular fashions has been escort to the border. The country’s southern borders, especially with Niger, became full of migrants coming in, and migrants being deported to the borders through official and non-official convoys. The latter have a horrible record for the manner in which migrants are treated and the conditions they undergo crossing after being dropped off at point zero.

This thesis analyzes this policy and its convoys under the Multiple Streams Framework, to understand its inception and the actors involved in it, and the securitization theory to understand its development and uncover the impact it has had on migrants, migrant women, and the Algerian state.