
On June 1, European Union member states, the Parliament, and the Commission approved new legislation on the expulsion of undocumented migrants. This text, supported by the right and far-right, allows for the detention of exiles for identity verification and the creation of detention centers outside EU borders. While some measures, such as strengthening Frontex, expulsions to third countries, or "return hubs," will be implemented immediately, the rest of the system will take effect within a year. This marks a new authoritarian turn in European migration policy, potentially at the expense of fundamental rights. Previously, externalizing detention centers outside the EU was largely impossible, except for a specific case with Albania due to a legal loophole. Italian far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had already initiated her own project with Tirana, though it faced judicial vetoes. Countries like Denmark, Austria, and Germany have expressed support for these "return hubs," with concrete plans discussed for centers in Rwanda, Uganda, or Uzbekistan. Unaccompanied minors are the only exception to this new framework. The legislation also mandates the systematic expulsion of all irregular foreign nationals. The period for voluntary departure can be reduced to 0-30 days, enabling immediate forced expulsions. European capitals gain broad authority to detain exiles, expanding detention grounds to include vague criteria such as flight risk, security threat, simple identity checks, o
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Must ReadAlgeria has achieved the 12th position in the 2026 ranking of Africa's top-performing countries, published by Jeune Afrique magazine on June 2. With a total score of 40.39 points, Algeria moved up seven places from the previous edition, marking one of the most significant increases this year. The country scored 20.83 points in governance and 6.51 points in influence. This places Algeria ahead of Tunisia 13th with 40.17 points and Senegal 14th with 38.32 points, as well as Tanzania 15th, Seychelles 16th, Cape Verde 17th, Mauritania 18th, Ethiopia 19th, and Mozambique 20th. South Africa maintains its leading position with 63.13 points. Mauritius secured second place with 50.69 points, advancing four ranks, while Namibia made a notable jump of twelve places to claim third with 49.89 points. The top 10 also includes Morocco 4th with 48.92 points, Nigeria 5th with 48.17 points, Egypt 6th with 47.30 points, Rwanda 7th with 43.27 points, Ghana 8th with 42.77 points, Côte d'Ivoire 9th with 42.01 points, and Kenya 10th with 41.62 points. Jeune Afrique's methodology for this ranking evaluates governance 50% of the final score, influence 25%, and innovation 25%. It analyzes 24 distinct indicators over a macroeconomic period from 2022 to 2024, with updates extending to 2025.
Must ReadAlgeria has secured the fifth position in the Middle East and North Africa MENA region for combined gold and foreign exchange reserves, totaling $83.0 billion as of May 2026. This places Algeria ahead of several major economic players in the Gulf and its immediate vicinity, including Qatar $53.9 billion, Kuwait $50.7 billion, Egypt $44.9 billion, Morocco $37.1 billion, and Lebanon $33.3 billion. The data, compiled by Global Firepower, highlights Saudi Arabia at the top with $463.8 billion, followed by the United Arab Emirates with $237.9 billion. Iraq holds third place with $100.6 billion, and Libya is fourth with $92.8 billion. A significant aspect of Algeria's financial standing is its complete absence of external debt. The country has not contracted any external loans since 2023, a trajectory noted by the International Monetary Fund IMF in its 2024 and 2025 reports. This positions Algeria as one of the few MENA countries with a zero external debt-to-GDP ratio, providing a strong macroeconomic shield. The valuation of Algeria's reserves includes physical gold holdings, calculated at $2,450 per ounce on the international market, contributing to the country's strategic financial strength amidst geopolitical uncertainties.
Must ReadParis and Algiers have officially initiated the process to revise the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement on immigration. This decision follows a two-day official visit to Paris by Algerian Minister of Interior Saïd Sayoud. The French Ministry of Interior stated that joint work would commence, based on future "concrete proposals" from Paris to modernize the text. The two countries aim to strengthen operational cooperation on migration, adopting a comprehensive approach that includes combating irregular immigration, managing returns, and facilitating legal mobility. Discussions confirmed a renewed loyal cooperation to increase returns, with all Algerian consulates in France now fully mobilized. The revision of the 1968 agreement, sought by France since 2024, reached a significant political stage in November 2025 when the French National Assembly adopted a resolution from the Rassemblement National RN to denounce it. At that time, Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf had dismissed the controversy as a "Franco-French affair," stating the French government had not consulted Algeria on the matter. Beyond the agreement's revision, Paris and Algiers are intensifying bilateral cooperation against terrorism and organized crime, including drug trafficking, fraud, and irregular immigration, supported by joint roadmaps and the appointment of a deputy security attaché in Algiers. They are also resuming exchanges on civil protection, focusing on training and climate risks. The two c
Must ReadThe GIZ Algeria has reviewed the 11-year energy partnership between Algeria and Germany, outlining future cooperation in renewable energies, green hydrogen, energy efficiency, and grid modernization. Over the past decade, the partnership has involved technical workshops, training programs, institutional capacity building, and specialized studies. A key study, "Power2X Potential Exploratory Study in Algeria," assessed the feasibility of converting solar and wind electricity into green hydrogen or clean industrial fuels for export to European markets. The GIZ emphasizes experience exchange between institutions through study visits and participation in international events. For the coming period, priorities include expanding solar and wind energy projects to diversify Algeria's energy mix, improving energy efficiency with consumption-reducing technologies, modernizing electricity grids for reliability and renewable absorption, and developing green hydrogen projects to foster a competitive market. The agency will also work on regulatory frameworks for renewables and long-term energy scenarios. Beyond institutional cooperation, GIZ aims to guide German private companies toward investment opportunities in Algeria's renewable and green hydrogen sectors, from large-scale projects to medium-sized initiatives. The overarching goal remains to transform shared ambitions into concrete projects, jointly driven by public and private sectors in both countries.