Refugees In Africa Research Articles

Exploring Higher Education Demand and Opportunities for Young Refugees in Africa

Higher education for young people, including marginalised groups, is essential for equitable and sustainable development. There is limited research on refugees’ access to higher education, especially in developing countries. This article contributes to the literature on refugee education by raising awareness of the demand for education and issues surrounding refugees’ access to higher education in West and Central Africa (WCA). We consider changes in the population of young refugees as a proxy for shifts in their demand for education and map available opportunities and challenges. Our analysis of refugee youth demographic data indicates increasing trends in most WCA countries, signalling rapidly growing demand for (higher) education by refugees in their countries of asylum. Mapping these countries’ provision of refugee education opportunities and dedicated scholarship programmes for refugees, as well as interviews with refugee students promotes understanding of the conditions and challenges they confront in the transition to higher education in their host countries. The article highlights the urgency of the refugee situation in Africa and calls for immediate and practical action to facilitate and support refugees’ access to tertiary education.

INVESTIGATING LIFE SATISFACTION: THE CASE OF REFUGEES IN ETHIOPIA

Life satisfaction in a society is a useful indicator to understand the quality of life there. Vulnerable groups in societies such as elderly people, people with disabilities, children, or refugees draw more attention to investigate as they are likely to need assistance to have a decent life. This study particularly focuses on refugees to investigate the determinants of life satisfaction in Ethiopia as this country provides an important shelter to considerable number of refugees in Africa. Using microdata from the World Bank’s Ethiopia Skills Profile Survey (2017), this study finds that basic human needs, safety concerns, and financial concerns play significant role on refugees’ life satisfaction in Ethiopia.

Article III of the OAU Refugee Convention in Context: the Emergence of Subversion in the African Inter-State System

Abstract On the face of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, the refugee problem in Africa is explicitly a multi-dimensional humanitarian, political, and security challenge. Linking the problem of refugees in Africa to the challenge of coexistence among then newly independent African States, Article III of the OAU Convention prohibits subversion by refugees. This study examines the evolution of this prohibition in the context of the history of post-colonial transition and authoritarianism which birthed it, and whose consequences are far from extinguished; suggesting that this context provides greater clarity to the scope and function of the prohibition as an obligation founded in a duty of friendly relations owed by African states to one another. Despite this, the language of the prohibition in the OAU Convention nevertheless lends it to sovereign self-help in a global context of rising authoritarian rule.

Ubuntu and forced migration: reflections for social work engagement with older refugees in Canada

As an African philosophy, Ubuntu, anchored in our humanness and interconnectedness, holds a lot of promise for social work research and practice with older refugees. It can potentially make communal care and mutual support between older refugees and host communities a lifestyle that can address the peculiar needs of older refugees. This article synthesised literature linking Ubuntu to social work and refugees using a desk review. The reviewed literature illustrates Ubuntu’s significance in social justice, respect for the dignity and worth of refugees and improving their integration into society. Ubuntu was also found to help refugees develop resilience and strength, especially when they support other refugees. It moves away from the pathological view of refugeeism to understanding refugees as people who also provide support. However, despite Ubuntu being a lifestyle in Africa, many Africans seem to have abandoned this, as evidenced by various social issues affecting refugees in Africa, such as xenophobic attacks. This paper makes a case for adopting Ubuntu in social work practice and research with older refugees through the development of communal support systems of care. Journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net How to reference using ASWNet style: Ekoh P. C. and Warria A. (2023). Ubuntu and forced migration: reflections for social work engagement with older refugees in Canada. African Journal of Social Work, 13(1), 1-11. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v13i1.1

How the African Union can Improve the Protection and Integration of Refugees in Africa: An Analysis of Policy Frameworks and Implementation Strategies

The refugee crisis in Africa is a growing concern, with millions of people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, and natural disasters. The African Union (AU) has a critical role to play in protecting refugees and promoting their integration into African societies. However, despite the AU’s efforts to address the refugee crisis, significant challenges remain, including inadequate policy frameworks, lack of implementation strategies, and limited resources. This research topic seeks to explore how the African Union can improve the protection and integration of refugees in Africa. The study will examine the current policy frameworks and implementation strategies adopted by the AU to address the refugee crisis, as well as the challenges and gaps in these frameworks. The study will also analyze the impact of external factors such as global migration patterns, economic downturns, and climate change on the refugee crisis in Africa. The proposed study’s original contribution is that it focuses specifically on the African Union’s role in addressing the refugee crisis in Africa, which has received limited attention in the literature. The study’s findings will be useful to policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders working in the field of refugee protection and integration, both in Africa and globally.

’56-os magyar menekültek Szudánban

In my paper I briefly summarize the short history of the entry of Hungarian refugees into Africa in 1956, then I look at Sudan and briefly outline the main cornerstones of the establishment of Sudanese-Hungarian diplomatic relations. Next, I will describe in detail the reports of the Hungarian legation in Khartoum, dated 1956-1959, about the three Hungarian refugees emmigrated to Sudan. It is a remarkable and hitherto unknown fact that the politically unstable, struggling with numerous economic, socio-ethnic problems, with a harsh climate, a huge North-East African country virtually unknown in Hungary, became a host country - even if for a short time - to a few Hungarians. However, two of the three Hungarian refugees – presumably - soon left Sudan, and the further fate of the lady who remained in Khartoum is still unknown to me. It can be stated that the chargé d’affaires of the Hungarian legation kept an eye on the Hungarians arriving in Sudan and as an aspiring young diplomat, respectively as a „good comrade”, he followed the instructions of the established Kádár-regimé in everything. For the preparation of my writing, apart from diplomatic sources, I was inspired by Gábor Búr’s lecture of 11 November 2021 on the arrival of Hungarian refugees in Africa in 1956.

THE ‘SHELTER’ ALMOST SAVED BY HENDRICK DE KEYSER

The ‘Shelter’ is a fantastic example of a circular plastic house with a diameter of 8 m that is somehow comparable to the ‘Futuro’. It was conceived by the Dutch interior architect Kor Aldershoff, who developed a prototype in glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) shells held on a metal frame (1971). This kind of house is unique for the Netherlands and therefore of great importance. The ‘Shelter’ was meant for providing a home for refugees in Africa. The prototype was light and could also float on water. The production of the metal supporting frame was entrusted to the Nederlandse Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij (N.D.S.M.) in Amsterdam-Noord and the GRP parts to the firm Resicon in Medemblik. The hall, living room and one bedroom were arranged around an empty column for the disposal of rainwater.

Basic psychological needs satisfaction and psychological well-being of refugees in Africa

Using a qualitative approach, this study sought to identify the factors that influence the psychological well-being or frustration of refugees to Uganda (mainly from South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC], Rwanda and other nearby countries) and Ugandan nationals (as host community). Data were collected through nine focus group discussions with 54 participants. The interview guide asked questions about issues that frustrated or encouraged their psychological well-being and the ways they would describe their current psychological well-being. After conducting thematic analysis, 10 themes emerged that contribute to refugee and host community psychological well-being or frustration: food availability, family separation and death, good security in the refugee camp, provision of health services, access to free education, the role of mental health and psychosocial support, unfavourable farmland, availability of employment and income-generating activities, collaboration and peer support, and delayed resettlement within or outside Uganda. Based on participant responses, several recommendations emerge to guide community-based psychological interventions, which may increase the psychological well-being of refugees and host community members. Conclusions show the negative and positive factors that contribute to the psychological well-being or frustration of both refugees and Ugandans.

Refugees in the Imperial Order of Things: Citizen, Subject, and Polish Refugees in Africa (1942–50)

Examining the case of some nineteen thousand Polish refugees in British colonial Africa, this article challenges the Eurocentric historiography of the post–World War II international refugee regime. These Poles, after being hosted by the colonial governments first, eventually came under the mandate of emerging UN refugee organizations that treated Europeans as internationally recognized refugees everywhere in the world. In contrast, fleeing Africans (and Asians) did not fit this category. This distinction had more to do with imperialism and race than with any geographic limitation. Conceptually, the refugee regime rests on the differentiation of refugees and national citizens, while imperial rule differentiated between European citizens and colonized subjects. I want to complicate this by emphasizing that the international refugee regime emerged in a largely imperial world signified by a tripartition into citizen, subject, and European refugee.

Analysis of the Russia-Ukraine War’s Consequences on Sustainable Livelihoods of Refugees in Africa

The Russia-Ukraine War will leave behind unprecedented scars among the primary conflicting parties and the international community. One of such scars is already being felt – a surge of refugee influx into neighbouring countries with mounting humanitarian needs. As the world continue recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war will make the recovery process more complicated. While geopolitical relations are threatened, the global economy is also affected – prices of commodities have gone high. The livelihood is endangered and many other services such as education and healthcare have been heavily impacted. Many countries are realigning their financial policies to meet economic uncertainties. Support for the most vulnerable that includes refugees is likely to be threatened. Amidist these challenges, refugees, particularly those in low-income countries, Africa inclusive, are left in peril. With that in mind, this paper aimed at analysing the relational consequence of the Russia-Ukraine war on sustainable livelihoods of refugees in Africa. Secondary qualitative data was obtained through the exploration of relevant literature, reports, articles, and news. While imploring “social solidary theory” of Émile Durkhein (1858-1917) and the African Solidarity perspective of “ubuntu”, the paper argues for a “re-envisioned collaboration” among African states in the context of global crises vis-à-vis the plight of refugees in Africa.

Imperial Refugee Management. Moving Greek Refugees Through the British Empire and into the Belgian Congo (1942–1945)

ABSTRACT During the Second World War, 2,700 Greek refugees lived in camps in Eastern Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi. They had escaped from the German Nazi occupation and famine conditions on the Aegean Islands. Their movement through Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Kenya, Tanganyika and Uganda was part of a more extensive network of refugee hosting and transfer, orchestrated by British officials in Cairo and guided by strategic interests in London. This article uncovers this overlooked episode and situates it in the broader history of the thousands of European refugees who found refuge in the Middle East and Africa. It argues that this was part of a more extensive system of imperial refugee management with implications for the history of the British Empire and the international refugee regime. Adding to the historiography of the empire’s war effort, it uncovers the contribution of Africans to hosting distressed European refugees. It further highlights the importance of imperial rule in the emergence of the post-war international refugee regime. Due to the racism of the colonial division of labour and society, European refugees in Africa enjoyed a comparably comfortable situation. The imperial refugee regime cared well for its white subjects, housing them in some of the most privileged refugee camps of the world.

Refugee Resettlement Scheme is the Golden Ticket but Very Scarce for Many in Africa: Prospects and Challenges During COVID-19

The refugee resettlement scheme is a window of hope for millions of refugees across the globe. It is an opportunity that grants refugees a durable solution, especially those who cannot voluntarily return to their countries of origin due to fear of persecution. The golden ticket, as seen by many, is resettlement to Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. COVID-19, the reluctance by western countries to commit to responsibility-sharing, along with other constraints confronting the process of granting settlement to refugees generated barriers to resettlement in 2020. Resettlement opportunities have been scarce for many refugees in Africa, particularly those refugees with protracted cases. The consequences are reflected in an increase in the use of irregular migration routes to Europe rather than relying on the established resettlement scheme. This paper aims to provide an overview of the options for a durable solution, exploring and discussing the prospects and challenges during the era of COVID-19. In conclusion, the data derived from the literature review and 12 key informant interviews suggests that the impact of COVID-19 on the resettlement scheme and the implementation of Africa’s first free trade area that promises to increase human mobility provides an opportunity for the international community to reimagine the golden ticket. Supported by the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and the Global Compact on Refugees, local integration and resettlement within Africa should be the new achievable gold standard.

Food Insecurity in Small Island Developing States

Food Insecurity in Small Island Developing States

Climate-induced displacement in the Sahel: A question of classification

AbstractThis article examines legal aspects of climate-induced forced displacement in the Sahel region of North Africa. The Sahel region is being adversely affected by climate change, leading to the displacement of thousands of people, both cross-border migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The conventional stance is that refugee status does not extend to individuals displaced as a result of natural or environmental catastrophes and that consequently a normative gap exists in international refugee law. However, the position in international law may not be as clear-cut as this conventional view assumes, in light of recent trends which are moving towards the recognition of the rights of such displaced people. It seems clear that under the terms of the 1951 Refugee Convention, such people are excluded from refugee status, and while the situation is less obvious under the Organisation of African Unity Convention on Refugees in Africa, it appears that the end result is the same, although there seems to be an increasing desire for recognition of refugee status under that treaty. Other regional treaties are also taking tentative steps in this direction; the Kampala Convention on IDPs is especially noteworthy because it makes express references to circumstances such as natural disasters. A human rights approach may offer hope to displaced people, since climate change can impact on a number of rights – particularly significant is the decision of the UN Human Rights Committee in Teitiota v. New Zealand which acknowledged the harmful impact of climate change. The response, legislative and otherwise, of five Sahel States towards forcibly displaced persons is examined in this article.

Trends and Drivers of Refugees in Africa

Introduction: Increase in refugees’ population poses great political, socio-economic and health challenges to Africa. This study aims to discuss the trends and drivers of refugees in African countries based on their country of origin. Methods: This study utilized secondary data on the population of refugees in all African countries from 1990 to 2017 based on their countries of origin. The data utilized were compiled by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2019, IBM SPSS 25 and Adobe Photoshop CS6. Results: Seven countries account for about 66.3% of the refugee population in Africa within 1990 to 2017, five of which are in East Africa. The trend in population of African refugees from 1990 to 2017 can be divided into four phases. Phase one, a sharp decline in refugee population from 1990 till 1992, 1994 till 1997; phase two, a sharp rise in population of refugees’ from 1992 till 1994; phase three, a relatively stable period from 1998 till 2011 and phase four, an acute rise from 2011 till 2017 where it peaks. The drivers of African refugee migration are climate change, natural disasters, economic hardship, and violence and tensions. Conclusion: The refugee population over three decades has been on the rise with occasional periods of decline. This poses great socio-economic and health challenges to the refugees as well as the host countries themselves. It is therefore necessary that the government and other concerned stakeholders create solutions to the causes of this increase in refugee population.

Youth transitions in protracted crises: conceptualising the ‘rupture’ of refugees' pathways to adulthood in Uganda and Jordan

AbstractYouth displaced from home by war, civil conflict, and poverty face a difficult transition into adulthood. Their ability to access education, employment, and social adulthood is often disrupted, restricted, and delayed. Yet, despite youth making up a large percentage of refugees in Africa and the Middle East, their specific circumstances are rarely considered. While international humanitarian and development programming aims to respond to the disrupted lives of youth affected by prolonged displacement, little is known about how these conditions affect transitions as youth struggle to create adult lives in contexts of multiple and competing survival pressures. This paper conceptualises youth transitions to adulthood for young refugees growing up in situations of protracted crisis, suggesting that major global challenges such as conflict not only delay, modify, or disrupt certain life events but in fact can have a rupturing effect on young people's capabilities and aspirations for the future. The paper draws on research with over 500 10–24‐year‐olds growing up as refugees in Uganda and Jordan, from five different national groups and located in camp and urban settings. Analysis of their in‐depth experiences highlights that current thinking around youth transitions has not yet accounted for the ruptures they experience, located outside of their home countries for extended periods of time. This "rupture," as an accumulation of the effects of displacement itself, the extended temporality of displacement, and the life course phase affected, more fundamentally impacts on the key phase for creating adult lives than has previously been understood.

COVID-19 Vaccines: Ensuring Social Justice and Health Equity among Refugees in Africa.

COVID-19 poses a particular threat to refugees in Africa. Overcrowded living conditions and lack of effective sanitation make refugees highly vulnerable to infection. Furthermore, migration has the potential to undermine measures to control viral spread. As a result, vaccination of the refugee community in Africa must be considered key in the vaccination plan to end the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Although the WHO has approved vaccines for emergency use worldwide in vulnerable groups through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) program, there is a lack of a strategy for achieving vaccination in the African refugee population. A specific strategy for refugee vaccination must be among the top priorities at national, regional, and global levels to ensure all refugees and asylum seekers in African countries have equitable and quality vaccine assistance regardless of displacement, statelessness, and financial hardship. We call on leaders in Africa and worldwide to ensure that refugee vaccination is a priority to protect this highly at-risk population and achieve an end to the current pandemic.

COVID-19 and its threat to refugees in Africa.

Although it is widely accepted that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has adversely affected the Global South’s most vulnerable refugee communities, they have received little attention. There have been gaps in testing, which is fundamental to treat and isolate patients and make data-driven decisions to protect the refugee community. Therefore, it is imperative to holistically implement policies to curtail COVID-19 in refugee camps to ensure that refugees are safe and protected from the pandemic. Processes for timely diagnosis and treatment, quick isolation and contact tracing are essential to keep refugees safe. Furthermore, it is crucial to encourage protective behaviours and raise awareness about hygiene and social prevention to dampen disease transmission. Refugees in the Global South have been disproportionately affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, facing financial hardship and social injustice throughout. Refugees in Africa have also faced threats to their security, being subjected to torture, disappearance, or even killings in their host countries. The pandemic has exposed gender inequalities, with females being the most affected, and health inequities in the refugee community in Africa. There is a need for international organizations like the African Union, United Nations (UN) agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders to take serious action regarding the refugee situation in Africa. Food aid for refugees in Africa should be increased as quickly as possible and refugees’ security must be guaranteed. Of equal importance, there must be justice for the death or disappearance of refugees. It is imperative to end discrimination against refugees and support the promotion of gender equity.

Situating the Global Compact on Refugees in Africa: Will it Make a Difference to the Lives of Refugees “Languishing in Camps”?

AbstractThe protection of refugees languishing in camps in Africa has posed a challenge for the international community for far too long. The OAU Refugee Convention does not reflect refugee rights or provide a durable solution for refugees in host states. Over the last 50 years there have been multiple attempts to resolve what remains one of the greatest challenges facing Africa. Each resolution has clarified the steps required to enhance the situation for those most affected and to provide solutions for refugee-hosting countries in need of strategic policies and funding. This article considers recent developments in refugee law since the adoption of the New York Declaration. It specifically evaluates the benefit of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) for African states and the refugees they host. Furthermore, because the OAU convention is the first refugee convention to make international solidarity (ie burden-sharing) a state obligation, the article assesses how the GCR builds on the convention.

Unfolding Africa's Impact on the Development of International Refugee Law

AbstractThis article traces the contributions of African states to the development of international refugee law and explores the role African human rights supervisory bodies have played in the interpretation and application of this field of law. While Africa's contributions to international refugee law are often overlooked, this article sets out to identify Africa's involvement in the drafting process of the UN Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. It also explores the legal framework for refugees in Africa, in particular the OAU Refugee Convention and the Bangkok Principles on Status and Treatment of Refugees, and the extent to which these two instruments have enriched international refugee law. The article argues that some of their provisions may provide evidence of customary rules of international law. Lastly, it examines some of the authoritative pronouncements made by African human rights supervisory bodies, in so far as they adopt a progressive approach to interpreting the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers.