Exploring the Continuum of Displacement within Modern Africa

Exploring the Continuum of Displacement within Modern Africa

            The news these days is filled with disturbing stories of African refugees. The troubled continent has always demonstrated persistent media attention since de-colonization; famine, war, and political upheaval have become the new norms. What is different now, and why the discussion of African refugees has come to the forefront, is due to the consequences of this turmoil; migration into Europe. The imagery of bodies washing up on Italian beaches, homeless refugees languishing on the streets of Greece, and overcrowded vessels presents a troubling dichotomy within the European psyche. Humanitarian sympathies are often coupled with concerns for what large numbers of refugees from Africa might mean to the already perimeter EU countries already experiencing their own economic hardship.

            The reasons behind African displacement are many. Many nations experienced severe political instability in the vacuum created by de-colonization. Oppressive regimes committed great atrocities both internally and against their neighbors. Civil wars, genocide, and ethnic balkanization have left the continent entangled in a never-ending cycle of turmoil; often with large numbers of civilians caught in the middle. Add famine, drought, economic instability and disease to the mix and the situation becomes much more serious for those living on the margins of the physical and political landscape. Millions have died, and for those who remain they see their only option is to look north toward Europe for survival.

            There are few routes out of Africa for those trying to escape. Traditionally, the western route from Morocco and Algeria were used by asylum seekers attempting to access Europe through Spain. As tougher border controls there coupled with a desperate attempt by Libya to unleash a huge wave of refugees onto Europe, many have moved west to exit there and Tunisia placing the burden on Italy and Greece.

            First they have to assume great risk to even reach the North African coast. Refugees report long walks filled with thirst, hunger and vulnerability to rape and other assaults along the way. If they have any means remaining it is paid to smuggling operators who pack great numbers of refugees into small vessels with no toilets, food or water for what an ocean crossing which might take 5 days or more….if they survive.

            Recent incidents of capsizing and deaths in the thousands on the Mediterranean have prompted Italian and Greek efforts to rescue many people from the sea. Once they arrive they are met with more difficulties as they must navigate the tangled bureaucracy of EU immigration policy and local resentments in the countries they land in. The Dublin Regulation prescribes that a refugee must seek asylum within the country in which they first arrive. This has caused an undue burden on perimeter states like Italy and Greece who find that they are disproportionately affected. When refugees try to unite with family or opportunity elsewhere within the union they are often deported back to their arrival points. There, they languish in long waits where there are no jobs, few services, and persecution by an increasingly hostile populace. Some countries have even threatened to leave the EU if there is no remedy provided to equalize the impact among member nations.

            As Europe moves ahead to try to deal with this problem the focus may be temporarily deflected from the persistent patterns of conflict and displacement in Africa. A few countries have remained fairly stable politically but they are the exception rather than the rule. For those who cannot make the journey north, displacement and constant movement and camp life has become the norm. They are vulnerable to hosts nations that exploit their situations for aid monies or even quasi-enslavement for public works projects.

            It is, as Gatrell puts it, “A Long Road” of which there seems no end. If Africa cannot solve the multiplicity of causal factors leading to displacement many will die, starve, be forcibly conscripted, assaulted, and exploited for many years to come. While those who persevere and set foot on an Italian shore may experience severe difficulties once there, they may look back southward and consider the alternative of remaining in Africa unthinkable. That is why so many are willing to risk all to reach Europe. They feel as though they have no choice in the matter….escape or die.