In a significant shift in the geopolitics of the Mediterranean, Algeria has emerged as a major player in irregular migration to Europe. According to a report by Spanish newspaper El Independiente, citing analysis by the Spanish Institute for Migration Analysis (IEAM), Algeria has surpassed Morocco as the primary departure point for migrants heading to the Iberian Peninsula. The numbers are alarming, with over 75% of boats crossing the Western Mediterranean in 2025 departing from Algerian shores.
This development is not coincidental, but rather the result of Algeria's dual policy of using migration as a tool for political pressure and blackmail. While Algeria has long presented itself as a champion of African solidarity and good neighborliness, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The country's strategy involves not only allowing migrants to pass through its territory but also actively facilitating their journey to Europe, particularly to Spain.
A closer examination of Algeria's strategy reveals a stark contradiction. On its southern border with Niger and Mali, Algeria has adopted a strict and violent approach, characterized by militarization, forced deportations, and expulsions of migrants towards Sahelian countries. However, on its northern shores, the country has taken a more permissive approach, allowing hundreds of boats to depart for Europe. This contradictory approach has led to a significant increase in migration flows, with Frontex and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reporting a 27% increase in detections on the Western Mediterranean route in 2025.
The European response to this situation has been marked by pragmatism and confusion. Italy has taken a pragmatic approach, engaging with Algeria in a bid to secure its borders and energy supplies. Rome has successfully neutralized the Algerian threat, using its relations with Algiers to its advantage. In contrast, Spain has struggled to find a coherent strategy, oscillating between confrontation and appeasement. Madrid's efforts to improve relations with Algiers have been met with an influx of migrants, which Algeria has used as leverage to extract concessions from Spain.
The comparison between Spain's approach to Morocco and Algeria highlights a double standard in European diplomacy. While Morocco has been criticized for its handling of migration, it has consistently demonstrated a commitment to cooperation and responsibility. In contrast, Algeria's use of migration as a tool for coercion has been met with appeasement from Spain. This disparity underscores the need for Europe to reassess its priorities and distinguish between reliable partners like Morocco and countries that use migration as a means of exerting influence.
The issue of irregular migration in the Mediterranean has far-reaching implications for European politics and diplomacy. As Algeria continues to use migration as a tool for pressure, Europe must develop a more nuanced understanding of the complex geopolitics at play. The need for a coherent and principled approach to migration policy has never been more pressing, with the stakes higher than ever for European countries.
The humanitarian consequences of Algeria's actions are dire, with thousands of migrants risking their lives to reach European shores. As Europe grapples with the challenges of migration, it must also confront the uncomfortable reality of Algeria's actions. By shedding light on Algeria's secret migration tactics, El Independiente's report has sparked a necessary conversation about the need for a more informed and coordinated European response to this pressing issue.
Key points
- Algeria has become a key launchpad for irregular migration to Europe, with over 75% of boats crossing the Western Mediterranean in 2025 departing from its shores.
- Europe's response to Algeria's migration tactics has been marked by pragmatism and confusion, with Italy taking a pragmatic approach and Spain struggling to find a coherent strategy.
- The issue of irregular migration in the Mediterranean has far-reaching implications for European politics and diplomacy, with the need for a coherent and principled approach to migration policy becoming increasingly pressing.
