Tent Wars: Conflict-Induced Displacement and Displacement-Induced Conflict in Africa Rebecca Rushing Data Sources: UNHCR Statistical Yearbook 2001; Major Episodes of Political Violence , a document by Monty G. Marshall, Director for the Center for Systematic Peace

What is a Refugee? 1951 Geneva Convention: –“A person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution.” Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) are not refugees Soldiers, gunmen, terrorists, and criminals are not allowed refugee status

Why Flee? Governments are unable or unwilling to enforce laws –Often due to conflict or civil unrest Lives are threatened because of race, religion, or creed –By the government of a state or any other group that the government refuses to or is powerless to stop. Economic migrants are not considered refugees by international law

Where do Refugees Go? Responsibility of nearest bordering countries or territories –Once refugees migrate to another country, it is a “host country”, with the responsibility to care for those refugees under the 1951 Geneva Convention –States overwhelmed by large numbers of refugees often will offer temporary protection, allowing refugees to live in camps within the host country’s borders Tanzania, 1994; Thousands of displaced Rwandans struggled to protect themselves from the elements at the Benako, Tanzania refugee camp

African Refugee Crisis Refugees leaving their homes because of conflict in Africa often are hosted by countries with similar levels of conflict Host countries are burdened with massive numbers of refugees, often hundreds of thousands arriving all at once Refugee migrations have the potential to make the host countries’ conflicts worse Refugees who arrive in a host country in the middle of a conflict often become victims of that conflict as well as the one they are fleeing from