Dozens of Cameroonians among other Africans, trapped in Algerian deportation camps

Cameroonians are once again victims of a mass deportation process in Algeria, months after the uproar caused by homophobic attacks against blacks in Tunisia.

In the past days, over a hundred African citizens locked up in a deportation camp in Algiers, capital of Algeria going through untold hardships. Most of the Cameroonians held in deportation camps have been in Algeria for several years before the recent wave of mass deportation by the Algerian authorities.

Most of the arrested victims are women and children, most of whom fled from Cameroon due to the socio-political instability in the country, but are now locked up in Algiers with little or no access to basic necessities like healthcare and water.

Mimi Mefo Infos successfully contacted on the phone one of several Cameroonians detained at a deportation camp to give us an insight into what is going on in Algeria. “We have been living here for so long, and we left Cameroon because of the war in the North west and South west regions,” the victim testified.

Just like was the case in Tunisia a few weeks ago, a massive raid has been launched on blacks in Algeria, particularly Cameroonians and Nigerians for deportation. Arrested victims claim the Algerian authorities are doing so illegally and are equally frustrated by the silence of the international community.

Our source in Algeria says, “They’re trying to remove us illegally from Algeria and send us into the desert in Niger. Many people have already been sent there, and hundreds more are in deportation camps.” He also admitted that they have been targeted due to the lack of documents of legal residence in the country.

The living conditions in these deportation camps are deplorable, and vulnerable persons with the need for special attention are facing tough conditions. It is the case of a pregnant Nigerian lady whose name we are told is Abigail Taiwo from Ogun State.

Having been barred access to a public hospital due to her condition, Abigail reportedly put to bed in the camp, void of medical assistance. Her health conditions and that of the child are reportedly hanging by a thread, much to the disregard of the Algerian authorities.

Arrested deportees are calling on the international community to break the silence over what is going on in Algeria. Most of them say they risk much worse if they are forcefully kicked out of Algeria.

By Mike Klaus