Linkages between internal and international migration: the African situation

Abstract

In Africa the historical evolution and stages of political development are crucial to an understanding of migration in general the distinction and linkages between internal and international migration their causes and policy issues. Of particular relevance in the African context are the effects of the demarcation of national boundaries the emergence since the early 1960s of independent nation states and especially the creation of regulations governing immigration. These have introduced a subtle distinction between internal and international migration both of which once involved free movement across wide areas of Africa and in the case of international migration between legal and illegal immigrants. This discussion analyzes these linkages against the backdrop of the causes of population movements and the policy responses to them. Conceptually international and internal migration are complementary and can supplement each other. Both derive from a complex of interrelated social and economic factors but are primarily related to the migrants search for greater well-being. From a policy perspective development normally has the effect of initially stimulating both internal and international migration in the short run. In the long run 1 viable policy instrument to restrain or retain a large number of (potential) emigrants from poor to rich countries or to attract them back is sustained development in the labor-exporting countries. In international migration political factors often can be more important than economic factors. A working typology of migration is outlined and shows that African migrants internal and international retain a prototype of the sociocultural structure of the community and regard their place of current (temporary) abode as an extension of the home community. Immigrants including refugees in Africa compete for the limited wage employment in both urban and rural sectors. Some of them fill the positions vacated by the nationals who have themselves emigrated abroad. Also internal migrants from rural areas compete for such positions in the towns from which nationals previously emigrated abroad in search of superior economic and other opportunities. A series of economic and political factors influence the opportunity structure in a country and indirectly the tempo and direction of internal and international migration. When the economy of a country is revitalized and employment opportunities improve considerably nations who had earlier emigrated to other countries could be attracted back home.