EDITORIAL

 

Editorial

 

 

Professor Mulugeta F. Dinbabo

Editor-in-Chief, African Human Mobility Review (AHMR) University of the Western Cape Email: editor@sihma.org.za

 

 

This issue consists of a book review and five articles that promote the practice of original research and policy discussions. It provides a comprehensive forum devoted exclusively to the analysis of contemporaneous trends, migration patterns, and some of the most important migration-related issues in sub-Saharan Africa.

Daniel Tevera presents a critical and scholarly evaluation of a book entitled Migration in West Africa, edited by Joseph Kofi Teye. Tevera observes that the authors deepen the readers' knowledge on the socio-economic effects, patterns, and causes of both internal and cross-border migration in West Africa. He acknowledges that the book is an important work that academics of African migration should find useful, particularly in comprehending the dynamics, causes, and effects of migration in West Africa. Through the presentation of micro-empirical case studies from several nations, it offers thorough information on a number of topics pertaining to the migrationdevelopment nexus in West Africa, including environmental displacement, return migration, and remittances.

The first article by Geraldine Asiwome Ampah and Leander Kandilige is entitled Gaps and Challenges in Ghana's Implementation of the Mechanisms for Cooperation and Referral of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Victims. This paper uses Ghana as a case study to analyze efforts by national authorities to eliminate trafficking in persons. Using a qualitative method of research that involved semi-structured interviews with representatives of government ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as civil society organizations (CSOs) and development partners, this research draws on the conceptualization of institutional collaboration. The results of this study highlight the challenges to an effective criminal justice response to trafficking in persons in Ghana, which include inadequate political will, poor resourcing and training of agencies, and lack of information about trafficking in persons. The authors provide policy recommendations based on the findings, including the adoption of coordinated actions among legislators, security forces, and the judicial system to arrest and prosecute traffickers.

The second article by Cristiano d'Orsi is entitled One Step Forward, Half Step Back: Still a Long Way to Go to End Statelessness in Madagascar. The author discusses the unresolved plight of statelessness in Madagascar and sheds light on the problematic situation of the Karana people, who still suffer from discrimination in the country. The study also examines gender discrimination in nationality law. In the final recommendations, the author urges specific actions to be taken with regard to incorporation policies, including granting Malagasy citizenship to Karana children to reduce social tensions and improve integration.

The third article by Meron Okbandrias is entitled Protection of the Rights of Ethiopian and DRC Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Examining the Role of South African NGOs (2005-2017). This paper investigates the challenges of NGOs working in the area of refugee rights, in an environment characterized by anti-immigrant sentiments and restrictive policies curtailing access to the asylum regime. The researcher employed a qualitative approach to scrutinize the role of NGOs working with Ethiopian and Congolese asylum seekers and refugees in three major cities of South Africa. The article provides an in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of NGOs in advocacy and the protection agenda, including facilitating access to social services, humanitarian assistance, and litigation services. The author concludes that in spite of their remarkable success in advocating for and protecting the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, NGOs cannot cover the void created by shortcomings in the implementation of legislation.

The fourth article by Christine Semambo Sempebwa is entitled Higher Education Policy and Access for South Sudanese Refugees from the Bidi Bidi Settlement, Uganda. This study presents findings from an exploratory study on higher-education policy and implementation and its influence on South Sudanese refugees from the Bidi Bidi settlement in Uganda. The outcomes of this study suggest that higher-education policy formulation for refugees and host communities is largely state driven and top-down, leaving limited space for information and feedback provided by students and higher-education institutions. Moreover, higher-education policies are not fully integrated in the Education Response Plan (ERP) for refugees and host communities, with implications for student access and resilience.

The fifth article by Mandipa Machacha is entitled Realizing the Right to Dignity of Zimbabwean Migrant Women in Botswana: A Practical Approach. This study analyzes the situation and specific challenges faced by Zimbabwean migrant women in Botswana in accessing healthcare and decent employment opportunities and then presents possible solutions based on the "Migration with Dignity Framework." The author argues that, to create an environment in which the basic needs of migrant women are met, an effective provision of services and strong policies to address the root causes of discrimination and violence against migrant women are of fundamental importance.

I would like to thank all Board Members, editors, reviewers, authors, and readers for their continued engagement. Finally, I am confident that this edition of the African Human Mobility Review provides a significant resource for scholars, practitioners, and students.