Algeria Repatriates 16 Moroccan Migrants Through Reopened Border Crossing

The Algerian authorities handed over Thursday to their Moroccan counterparts 16 Moroccan migrants through the border post of Zouj Bghal, which was opened exceptionally, reports the association Aid to Migrants in Vulnerable Situations (AEMSV), recalling that the repatriation of six migrants had already been carried out two weeks ago. The 16 Moroccan migrants repatriated are from the cities of Oujda, Figuig, Tangier, Casablanca, Taza, Fez, Tetouan, Midelt, Khouribga, Kenitra and Demnate, and had served their sentences in various Algerian prisons, particularly in the Tlemcen region, the association specifies in a statement. Their repatriation was done on the basis of a valid passport and a passage document, added the same source.

Hundreds of young people are still in administrative detention awaiting repatriation, as well as a number of detainees in custody, the association points out, noting that this operation is encountering "several technical and procedural difficulties that it is trying to resolve". AEMSV also states that it currently has more than 330 files of detainees and six bodies whose families are awaiting release and handover, like the other bodies for which it has previously facilitated the legal and administrative procedures.