Understanding migration in Africa

ISSAfricaTV

11 Apr 201802:11

Summary

TLDRThe African continent has a rich history of migration, driven by various factors like war, poverty, and environmental issues. While most migration remains within Africa, some individuals risk perilous journeys to Europe. Migration is seen as a key to Africa's economic growth, with migrants contributing skills, labor, and remittances that surpass foreign investments and aid. The African Union's 2018 protocol on freedom of movement and residence is a step towards regional integration and development, emphasizing the need for a unified African stance on migration to address xenophobia, human trafficking, and resource limitations.

Takeaways

🌍 Migration in Africa has a long history, including the slave trade and colonial labor movements.
📈 Current African migration is primarily intracontinental, with an expected increase due to various socio-economic factors.
🔍 People migrate within Africa seeking employment, better living conditions, and to escape conflict, poverty, poor governance, and environmental issues.
🌊 Some migrants risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean to reach Europe, highlighting the desperation and determination of migrants.
💼 The free and safe movement of people and effective migration governance are crucial for unlocking Africa's economic potential.
🛠️ Migrants contribute to economies by bringing their skills and labor, and by sending remittances home, which often exceed foreign direct investment and international aid.
💰 Since 2008, remittances by migrants have become the largest source of foreign exchange earnings for Sub-Saharan African countries.
🏛️ African leaders need the political will to implement existing legal frameworks and policies on migration to maximize benefits.
🤝 There is a need to address xenophobia, human trafficking, and the challenges faced by host countries with limited resources due to migration.
📜 In January 2018, the African Union adopted a new protocol on freedom of movement and the right of residence, building on previous treaties for regional integration.
📣 Positive messaging about the benefits of migration is essential for streamlining and consolidating Africa's policies on this issue.

Q & A

What is the historical context of migration in Africa mentioned in the transcript?
-The historical context of migration in Africa includes events such as the slave trade and movements of colonial labor.
Why is internal migration within Africa expected to increase according to the script?
-Internal migration within Africa is expected to increase due to people seeking work, a better life, escaping war, poverty, bad governance, and environmental degradation.
What are the primary reasons some migrants risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean to Europe?
-Some migrants risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean to Europe in search of a safer and better life, driven by the same factors that cause internal migration within Africa.
How do migrants contribute to the economies of their host countries and their home countries?
-Migrants contribute to the economies of their host countries by bringing their skills and labor, which can boost economic growth. They also contribute to their home countries by sending remittances, which have been a larger source of foreign exchange earnings than foreign direct investment and international aid since 2008.
What is the significance of the African Union's new protocol on freedom of movements and the right of residence?
-The new protocol on freedom of movements and the right of residence, adopted in January 2018, builds on the 1991 OAU treaty and aims to enhance regional integration and development by promoting the safe and free movement of people.
What challenges need to be addressed for effective governance of migration in Africa?
-Challenges that need to be addressed include xenophobia, human trafficking, and the limited resources of host countries.
Why is political will important for the implementation of legal frameworks and policies on migration in Africa?
-Political will is crucial for the implementation of legal frameworks and policies on migration because it drives the necessary actions to ensure the benefits of migration are realized and the challenges are effectively managed.
What is the role of positive messaging in consolidating Africa's policies on migration?
-Positive messaging on the benefits of migration helps to streamline and consolidate policies by fostering a more coherent pan-African position and by promoting the understanding and acceptance of the advantages of free movement across borders.
What is the connection between the African Economic Community and the new protocol on freedom of movements?
-The new protocol on freedom of movements and the right of residence is a continuation and enhancement of the principles established by the 1991 OAU treaty that led to the creation of the African Economic Community.
How does the script suggest that the benefits of migration can be maximized in Africa?
-The script suggests that the benefits of migration can be maximized by focusing on the advantages of people moving freely across borders, implementing legal frameworks and policies, and fostering a pan-African position on migration.
Who funded the migration research mentioned in the transcript?
-The migration research mentioned in the transcript was funded by the Hans I Sido Foundation.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 African Migration: A Historical and Economic Perspective

This paragraph discusses the extensive history of migration in Africa, including the slave trade and colonial labor movements. It highlights the current trend of intra-continental migration driven by the search for better work opportunities, escape from war, poverty, bad governance, and environmental degradation. The paragraph emphasizes the positive economic impact migrants have on their host countries and their home countries through skills, labor, and remittances, which have become a more significant source of foreign exchange earnings than foreign direct investment and international aid since 2008. It also touches on the need for African leaders to implement legal frameworks and policies to facilitate the safe and free movement of people, and to address issues such as xenophobia, human trafficking, and the limited resources of host countries. The paragraph concludes with the adoption of a new protocol by the African Union in January 2018, which aims to enhance regional integration and development, and the importance of positive messaging on the benefits of migration.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Migration

Migration refers to the movement of people from one place to another with the intention of settling temporarily or permanently in a new location. In the context of the video, migration in Africa has a long history and includes both forced movements, such as the slave trade, and voluntary movements, such as those seeking better opportunities. The video highlights that contemporary African migration is primarily within the continent, driven by factors like work, better living conditions, and escape from adverse situations.

💡Slave Trade

The slave trade involved the forced transportation of Africans to various parts of the world, primarily during the 16th to 19th centuries. It is mentioned in the video to provide historical context to African migration. This traumatic period significantly impacted African societies and set a precedent for subsequent migration patterns and labor movements during colonial times.

💡Colonial Labor Movements

During the colonial era, labor movements involved the forced and voluntary migration of Africans to work in colonial enterprises. These movements were orchestrated by colonial powers to exploit local labor for plantations, mines, and infrastructure projects. The video references these movements to explain the historical roots of migration patterns within Africa.

💡Remittances

Remittances are money transfers sent by migrants to their home countries. The video emphasizes that since 2008, remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa have surpassed foreign direct investment and international aid, becoming the largest source of foreign exchange earnings. This underscores the significant economic impact of migration on African economies.

💡Xenophobia

Xenophobia refers to the fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers. In the video, it is highlighted as a challenge that needs to be addressed to promote the benefits of migration. Tackling xenophobia is essential for ensuring safe and free movement of people within Africa and fostering positive attitudes towards migrants.

💡Human Trafficking

Human trafficking involves the illegal trade of humans for the purposes of forced labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of exploitation. The video identifies it as a critical issue that needs to be tackled to ensure the safe and free movement of people. Effective governance is required to combat human trafficking and protect migrants.

💡Environmental Degradation

Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through the depletion of resources, destruction of ecosystems, and pollution. It is mentioned in the video as one of the factors driving migration in Africa, as people move to escape areas affected by environmental damage.

💡African Union (AU)

The African Union is a continental organization consisting of African countries aimed at promoting economic integration and political stability. The video references the AU's adoption of a new protocol on freedom of movement and the right of residence in 2018, which builds on previous treaties to enhance regional integration and development.

💡Pan-African Position on Migration

A pan-African position on migration involves a unified and coherent approach by African countries to manage migration. The video calls for a more cohesive stance to address migration challenges and harness its benefits, emphasizing the need for political will and implementation of existing legal frameworks and policies.

💡Economic Potential

Economic potential refers to the capacity for economic growth and development. The video argues that effective governance of migration and the safe and free movement of people are key to unlocking Africa's economic potential. Migrants contribute skills and labor, boosting economies and sending remittances that support development in their home countries.

Highlights

Migration in Africa has a long history, including the slave trade and colonial labor movements.

Today's African migration is predominantly intra-continental, with an expected increase.

People migrate within Africa for work, a better life, to escape war, poverty, bad governance, and environmental degradation.

Some migrants risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean to Europe for a better life.

Migration can have a positive outcome, with safe and free movement of people and effective governance being key.

Migrants contribute to Africa's economic potential by bringing skills and labor.

Since 2008, remittances by migrants have surpassed foreign direct investment and international aid.

Remittances are the largest source of foreign exchange earnings for sub-Saharan African countries.

Leaders need the political will to implement Africa's legal frameworks and policies on migration.

The emphasis should be on the benefits of free movement across borders and effective governance.

There is a need to address xenophobia, human trafficking, and the limited resources of host countries.

A more coherent pan-African position on migration is required for regional integration and development.

In January 2018, an African Union summit adopted a new protocol on freedom of movement and the right of residence.

The new protocol builds on the 1991 OAU treaty establishing the African Economic Community.

Africa needs to streamline and consolidate its policies on migration, aided by positive messages on its benefits.

The ISS thanks the Hans Sido Foundation for funding migration research.