On March 21, nine Algerian migrants died when the boat taking them to Italy capsized in the Mediterranean Sea. The tragic story, along with countless others like it, highlights the cost of migration, which is not limited to the loss of lives. In fact, the highly publicized reports of migrant deaths have increasingly shaped a vision of irregular migration as a symptom of a broader social tragedy, one that drives thousands of skilled young people from Africa to set off down unknown, dangerous paths in search of a better future for themselves. These irregular routes empower organized crime networks, take a toll on domestic economies and lead to societal fractures that are difficult to heal. In addition to these short-term impacts, irregular migration also impedes Algeria’s economic development and fuels a sense of defeatism among many segments of society.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 02, 2023 12:13 UTC