African Union’s Migration Governance Framework, the Refugee Crisis and Challenges for Geopolitical Security

Abstract

This article is an in-depth desk review of migration-related issues in Africa, including new migration trends, triggers of internal displacement and refugee flows, the African Union’s migration policy frameworks, emerging threats to geopolitical security, and responsibility-sharing among African sub-regions. It explores the various variables that lead to migration within the African region, the extent to which they interact with one another, and the application of existing migration policy frameworks within the context of responsibility sharing. The article equally examines the African Union's (AU) current and planned migration governance institutions and member states' political will in view of the reality that managing migration is challenging due to its inevitable nature, magnitude, and heterogeneity. It emphasizes the need to develop strategic partnerships among national, regional and global actors in order to address Africa's migration and displacement challenges in a manner consistent with international standards.