When Rwanda's national football team "Amavubi" arrived in Algeria for two friendly matches, midfielder Imanishimwe Djabel was unable to proceed with his teammates. Upon arrival, officials informed him he had been banned from entering Algeria for five years due to previously overstaying his visa for three months without proper documentation.
Speaking to Radio and TV10, Djabel shared his shock upon learning of the ban. He stated, "This caught me off guard. When I landed at the airport in Algeria, during the usual document checks, I was informed that I was prohibited from entering the country. I waited about 10 minutes, confused as to why I couldn't enter, before they returned and told me I had been penalized and banned from Algeria for five years."
The player explained that representatives from the "Amavubi" team tried to resolve the situation but were informed it was a Supreme Court ruling in Algeria that couldn’t easily be overturned. He elaborated, "Our national team representatives tried to consult with Algeria's football federation, but they were informed that the entry ban was a decision from Algeria's Supreme Court. To lift the penalty would require further legal procedures, potentially including a formal appeal."
Djabel revealed that the issues leading to his undocumented stay were caused by administrative failings on the part of USM Khenchela, the Algerian football club he played for after transferring from APR FC. He explained, "The issue began when I signed with USM Khenchela. Upon arriving in Algeria, I was granted a three-month visa and started work. During this process, as is customary with Arab clubs, they provide an advance salary for three months while holding onto players' passports to ensure commitment to the team. After the three months ended, I followed up with the club about extending my visa, but they informed me that they had submitted the necessary paperwork and were waiting to secure a two-year visa for me."
However, Djabel’s situation took an unexpected turn when he attempted to leave Algeria. He shared, "I remained in the country thinking everything was in order, as I was actively playing in the football league. When the time came to part ways with the club, I went to the airport to travel back home, only to discover that I didn’t have a valid visa and had been in Algeria unlawfully for three months."
Discussing the legal implications, Djabel admitted there was a misunderstanding of Algerian laws. He stated, "To exit the country, the club I was playing for had to pay penalties, which were accompanied by further sanctions. According to regulations, fines would permanently revoke the sanctions if paid."
He further added, "The club's administrators paid a fine of $150 so I could leave the country. According to Algerian laws, spending three months without a visa incurs a penalty of $150 to remove immediate sanctions or $600 for full reinstatement of one's legal status. The club opted to pay $150, but I wasn’t involved in the discussions as these negotiations were handled directly between the club and immigration authorities."
Djabel was recently denied entry into Algeria due to existing sanctions.
Djabel expressed his surprise upon learning he was barred from entering Algeria.