Refugees, the State and Politics of Asylum in Africa

Abstract

How can we understand the plight of refugeesin Africa? Why are refugees now spending an average of 17 years in exile? Why have African states required refugees to remain in isolated and insecure camps? Is there a better approach to the needs of refugees in Africa? This book answers these questions by examining the history and politics of asylum in Africa and the response of key African states to the mass arrival and prolonged presence of refugees. By situating the question of refugees within the wide context of African politics, the book outlines the broad range of factors that influence the asylum policies of African states. Building on these lessons, the book outlines the politics of asylum in Africa and proposes a new approach to addressing the needs of the continent's refugees. This approaches offers important lessons not only for the study of asylum in Africa, but also for the future of refugee protection in Africa.