Eye on Development
How to solve the refugee crisis in Africa
TThe author is a senior researcher with the Charhar Institute and a researcher at the Institute of West-asian and African Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences he refugee problem has caught the attention of the international community as the number of refugees worldwide has reached a record high, leading to the most serious refugee crisis in Europe since World War II, with the Middle East and Africa two of the major sources. Focusing on this issue, the 32nd Ordinary Summit of the African Union (AU) was held in late January and early February under the theme of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Toward Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa.
According to Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2017, released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in June 2018, the global population of forcibly displaced people increased to 68.5 million by the end of 2017, which means one out of every 110 people in the world is displaced.
Wars and conflicts are the root causes leading to the refugee problem in Africa, the continent most vulnerable to regional chaos and military conflicts, although as a whole, it has remained peaceful and stable since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s. However, there are still nearly 10 African countries facing wars, military coups or internal military conflicts to various degrees. Frequent unrest has hindered economic development in Africa and weakened efforts to strengthen African unity and national reconciliation, leading to a series of political and social problems such as a refugee crisis, weapons smuggling and drug trafficking.
Poverty and underdeveloped economies are another root cause of the refugee problem. Africa is the world’s second largest continent in terms of size and population, but also accounts for the largest number of least developed countries. Though the continent has seen restorative economic growth in the past two decades, it is still the most impoverished due to its poor infrastructure and late development.
In addition, high rates of HIV/AIDS infection, along with other diseases, low literacy levels, heavy dependence on single-product economies and frequent famines and natural disasters are also reasons leading to refugees and displaced persons.
Peace and development needed
In the short term, the international community needs to help refugees and internally displaced persons when famines or conflicts take place by providing accommodations, food and medical services. The host countries also need to finance the establishment of settlements, rescue stations and shelters for refugees.
In the long term, the sustainable solution to the refugee problem is addressing the root causes through maintaining stability and promoting economic development. Although Africa, as a whole, remains stable in terms of politics and security, some regions face arduous security situations, which may become new sources of increased numbers of refugees. Security problems should be addressed