Hundreds of "deserted" African migrants in the desert »Manila News Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Nearly 600 African migrants in Algeria were abandoned in the desert with little food and water before being rescued, an official in Niger neighbor

(AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)

Rights groups accused the Algerian authorities of arbitrary arrest and expulsion of migrants from the country. Sub-Saharan Africa and sometimes throwing them away "Three days ago, a first wave of 180 Nigeriens arrived in Agadez, followed by another wave of at least 400 foreigners," said the spokesman. AFP a senior municipal official from northern Niger. 19659007] Agadez, known as the gateway to the Sahara, has become a hub for African migrants trying to reach Europe.

The official, on condition of anonymity, stated that the migrants, including the children and many women, had been "abandoned in" the usual atrocious conditions near the border with Niger ". [19659007"Accordingtothemigrantstheyweretakenneartheborderandthrownaway"hesaid)

Some of the migrants were now sick, he said, adding that all were being taken care of by the refugees. Local authorities and other West African authorities and the International Organization for Migration

The IOM representative in Niger, Giuseppe Loprete, said in a tweet that his agency had helped 391 migrants from 16 nationalities including Ivorians, Senegalese, Guineans and Cameroonians "abandoned on the border with Niger and Algeria"

"What the IOM does not say, it is that she does nothing to help them (when they are in Algeria). It is Algeria that provides them with help in distributing food kits and water, "said Hbaden Kacimi, the interior minister

adding that Algeria had suggested that the IOM install a system in Assamaka, to rescue the migrants prevented from returning to Algeria, but "the IOM is completely absent".

The Algerian minister of Interior Noureddine Bedoui also denounced "a non-constructive and unfounded criticism campaign" against his government

(Algeria) has always supported African migrants and spared no effort, including humanitarian, to lend them help and badistance, "he told an Algeria-Niger meeting on border security cooperation.

Since the beginning of the year he has conducted 18 rescue operations in the region involving 3,000 people.

The IOM reported a sharp increase in the number of migrants crossing the border between Algeria and the Niger desert, from 135 in May 2017 to 2,888 in April this year.