Gaining Insights from Historical Comparisons of African Refugee Crises

Gaining Insights from Historical Comparisons of African Refugee Crises

There are many considerations that must be addressed by potential host countries of displaced populations. Among these are economic impacts, sovereignty issues and environmental concerns. Looking to the historical record to draw insights allows for a greater appreciation for these difficulties, however, there is one concern which represents a far greater threat. By comparing the reasons behind refugee camp closures like that at Dabaab to examples provided by historian David Gatrell one gains insight into the propensity of the camps for political affiliation often detrimental to the host country’s security.

A refugee camp can pose a substantial danger to a host nation. Africa, during the 90’s and 2000’s, realized that “The presence of refugees in adjacent states further destabilized the sub-continent” and “allowed refugee warriors to regroup” (Gatrell, 224).The closing of  Dadaab  reflects  Kenyan acknowledgement of that risk.

A recent TIME article exemplifies Gatrell’s warnings. The Kenyan Ministry of the Interior announced the plan to close the world’s largest refugee camp as it has become “a safe haven for terrorist organizations like al-Shabaab” (Rivett-Carnac). In his chapter on African displacement “Long Road,” Gatrell provides a similar example found in 1970’s Sudan. The UNHCR, cognoscente of the “political activity by refugees in the country of origin from across border locations” dictated they could not locate within 50km of the frontier. Sudan furthered the depiction of refugees as a “security threat” in its 1974 Asylum Act, using the claim to justify harsh treatment of Eritrean refugees within their borders (Gatrell, 238).

Another insight gained by comparing recent events to the historical record is the evolution of the UNHCR’s sensitivity to the security concern of host nations. While they may have made concessions in the past regarding locations of camps like those in Sudan, when a country like Kenya makes the extreme decision to close camps outright they threaten them suggesting that Kenya’s action would have “devastating consequences.” They questions the legality of the decision both internally and internationally claiming Kenya is obligated “to people in need of sanctuary” (Rivett-Carnac).

By comparing contemporary instances of African displacement to the past we find that security concerns have remained persistent. Refugees do not automatically leave their political affiliations at the gate and the responses by host nations to these threats often place them in difficult positions with the international community and relief organizations.

Works Cited

Gatrell, Peter. The Making of the Modern Refugee. Oxford, UK: OUP, 2013. Print.

Rivett-Carnac, Mark. "Kenya to Close the 'World's Largest Refugee Camp' in Dadaab." Time. Time, 12 May 2016. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. <http://time.com/4327239/kenya-close-            refugee-camp-dadaab/>.