Conflict-induced displacement: a study of risk and support for the older refugees in South Africa
- Authors: Yusuf, Mohammed Sanusi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6871-0186
- Date: 2021-09
- Subjects: Migration, Internal , Displacement (Psychology) , Refugees -- Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22231 , vital:52001
- Description: With the exponential rise in conflict scenarios globally, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees in foreign countries continues to grow. Although there has been several international efforts and conventions aimed at alleviating the global refugee crisis, the international community has not found a sustainable answer to this knotty problem. In Africa, with some of the worst conflict situations, the scourge of social displacement resulting in migrations have caused different levels of risks and vulnerability for the refugees, as well as capacity constraints for the host communities, governments of host countries and non-governmental bodies working with refugees. In South Africa, with one of the highest numbers of refugees in Africa, especially those coming from African countries, contention for socio-economic space and cultural differences occasionally result in violence between refugees and local people. For the older refugees, the level of risk exposure and hardship have generated interests for both scholars and officials. This thesis explores the risks and support systems for older refugees in South Africa, with specific focus on the Eastern Cape province. Various stakeholders (such as government, NGOs, host communities and the older refugees) in refugee management in South Africa have argued differently on ‘how best’ to manage older refugees in the country. Using qualitative data gathered from refugee communities in the Eastern Cape province and documentary analysis, the study found that the experiences of older refugees in the Eastern Cape province are nuanced. The dominant narrative on the experiences of older refugees indicate peaceful coexistence and resilient organic community support systems, with minor conflicts – often associated with contestations for scarce economic opportunities. Although the study focuses on one province of South Africa, this finding challenges the often-overgeneralised perception of South Africa as ‘xenophobic’. It unpacks the hidden resilient social systems and networks of relationships that bind local populations and the refugees, especially the older ones. In the search for national, regional and global answers on the best way to manage refugee crisis, this study provides insights into community-level structures and dynamics that would benefit policymaking at the national and international levels , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
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- Date Issued: 2021-09
Politics of asylum : sovereign considerations in the multilateral and humanitarian practices of refugee protection in post-apartheid South Africa
- Authors: Oduba, Victor
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Refugees -- Africa , Refugees -- Government policy -- South Africa , Refugees -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Asylum, Right of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2870 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007725 , Refugees -- Africa , Refugees -- Government policy -- South Africa , Refugees -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- South Africa , Asylum, Right of -- South Africa
- Description: Most scholars claim that international human rights norms embodied in formal international declarations and treaties have an important impact on domestic political interests and governmental practices. This reasoning about the impact of global human rights is often applied to the post-apartheid South African immigration and refugee policies. While I acknowledge that the ratification of United Nations Conventions on refugees has altered the traditional sovereignty considerations of South Africa towards asylum seekers, I take issue with the claims that South African refugee and asylum policies are primarily motivated and based on humanitarian considerations. Instead, I argue that these policies are based on sovereign considerations and strategic foreign policy interests. As a result this sovereign interests of South Africa to study has sought to demonstrate that largely explain decisions on the part accept or reject refugees. Although norms diffusion, international advocacy networks, and prestige factors have made a big impact, in practice the refugee policy has continued to reflect South Africa's strategic interests and domestic considerations at all levels. However, I have not argued that South Africa should overlook its national and foreign interests and abide by international human rights norms regardless of the cost of doing so. I have only sought to demonstrate that refugee protection is more when powerful national interests find it conducive to manage the destabilizing refugee flows.
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- Date Issued: 2003