Displaced Persons In Africa Research Articles

Exploring the displacement induced changes in social convoys and support for older women in displacement (OWD) in Abuja, Nigeria

AbstractThe world is witnessing a dramatic increase in displaced persons in Africa, Asia, South America, and, most recently, Europe. Within this population of violence‐induced displacement are older women, a group that is mostly unseen because research and relief initiatives primarily target younger women and children. This study aimed to explore the changes in the convoys and support for older women in displacement (OWD). Qualitative data were collected from nine OWD using art‐based convoys of concentric circles and interviews. The collected data were analysed in themes, and findings revealed that while there has been intervention from formal organisations to fill the displacement‐induced support gap, supports are still limited, sporadic, not focused on the peculiar needs of OWD, not guided by any framework, and mainly material in design. The study concluded by recommending sustainable support to help OWD become empowered to cope effectively without aid.

The Legal Protection of Development-Induced Displaced Persons in Africa

Development-induced displacement has become one of the pressing human rights concern in Africa with thousands displaced by development projects across the continent each year. The political viewpoint that development projects are panaceas for economic development has often made their socio-economic implications for displaced persons’ pale in comparison. In a bid to address this form of displacement, the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons mandate states to prevent development-induced displacement. Seeking to mitigate the tension between the essence of the development project and respect for the rights of displaced persons, article 10 of the Convention mandate states to prevent development-induced displacement. This paper discusses the content of the obligation in fostering legal protection for development-induced displaced persons in Africa.

Refugee Status Determination in Africa

Thirty-fi ve years after the adoption of the Africa-specifi c treaty on refugees, the 1969 Organisation of African Unity Convention Governing the Specifi c Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, the issue of refugees remains high on the agenda of many African countries. With States increasingly carrying out individual status determinations, either under their own auspices or through the offi ces of the UNHCR, insuffi cient guidance has been given to decision-makers on how to interpret this instrument by either the UNHCR or the African Union, in addition to which there is limited published case law available. How does the OAU Convention defi nition deal with issues of the interface between migration and asylum? Does the practice of African States in regularly giving sanctuary to persons escaping environmental catastrophes give rise to a right to asylum under the treaty? What about persons fl eeing terrorist attacks? Is the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees still relevant to displaced persons in Africa? This article takes a renewed look at each of the elements of the legal defi nition of a “refugee” under the OAU Convention in the hope of providing some guidance to decision-makers, lawyers and asylum-seekers alike. This article fi nds however that many questions remain unanswered, and although a myriad of different interpretations are possible, the greatest strength of the OAU Convention appears to rest less in its specifi c terms than the humanitarian spirit in which it is applied.

Select bibliography. Internally displaced persons in Africa

INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN AFRICA Get access Refugee Survey Quarterly, Volume 18, Issue 1, 1999, Pages 184–196, https://doi.org/10.1093/rsq/18.1.184 Published: 01 March 1999

Select bibliography. Internet sources on internally displaced persons in Africa

Journal Article INTERNET RESOURCES: INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN AFRICA Get access Refugee Survey Quarterly, Volume 18, Issue 1, 1999, Pages 197–212, https://doi.org/10.1093/rsq/18.1.197 Published: 01 March 1999