The Algeria of Borders : The Feeling of National Belonging Put to the Test by the Border : Social Issues in the Border Towns of Southern Algeria

This research focuses on the sense of national belonging in the context of border towns in southern Algeria, where social dynamics and challenges are particularly complex. The study explores the relationship between borders and national identity, as well as the impact of internal and cross-border migration on how residents identify with their nation.

The project builds on previous surveys conducted within social reintegration centers, which revealed that Tamanrasset presents unique characteristics linked to civil status, population mobility, and interactions with communities from neighboring countries (Mali, Niger, Libya). The city is distinguished by a perceived “loose” local identity and an “external” relation among its inhabitants, including migrants from northern regions of Algeria. The presence of a transnational population and informal economic activities generates a sense of insecurity and fuels public debate.

Contrary to analyses that interpret social movements in the South as mere reflections of Northern protests, this research shows that local social conditions are evolving toward those of the North, due to state policies aimed at institutional unification and universal access to education, services, and employment, thereby strengthening the sense of national belonging.

The study aims to understand how national identity is experienced and expressed in border towns by examining residents’ discourse about their belonging, perceptions of non-nationals, and distinctions between nationals and foreigners. It also considers the perspectives of internal migrants to capture differences in perceptions of national belonging.