The Socio-cultural and Economic Conditions Contributed to Illegal Migration in Omo Nada District, Jimma Zone, Oromia National Regional State, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

Despite the fact that factors contributed to illegal migration (migrant smuggling and human trafficking) vary from context to context, there is scant of information for Omo Nada district, Jimma zone, Oromia National Regional State, South West Ethiopia. Thus, this study tried to explore the socio-cultural and economic factors that contributed to illegal migration of returnees to Omo Nada district. To this end, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were undertaken to collect qualitative data required for the study. The data was transcribed and analyzed thematically. Accordingly, the results of the findings showed that poverty, unemployment, lack of skills, influence of brokers/smugglers/traffickers, family pressure, religious and absence of legal means particularly for males are the major complex and reinforcing factors that gave rise to the illegal migration of the study participants. The returnees’ subjective experiences of these factors and the meaning they gave to migration such as “means to escape poverty, alternative way to success and a key to unlock poverty” also motivated them to migrate.