Uganda's migration and displacement governance is largely regarded as progressive, extending the right to work, freedom of movement, and access to public services to refugees. However, behind this record is a system in which political imperatives, economic interests, and historical influences all tend to tug in different ways. With persistent gaps in funding, risk of corruption, and scarce avenues of citizenship, will Uganda's model continue to be an international benchmark of protection in the years to come?
Migration and displacement governance in Kenya has since inception lacked congruence. Where the country has vowed to adhere to its international obligations, it has at the same time acted contradictory. Policy and practice continues to be at loggerheads to date. With the establishment of the Shirika plan and Regulations to the Refugee Act 2021, could a new era of coherence in Kenya’s refugee management be on the horizon?
This policy brief addresses the problem of forced evictions resulting from development in Kenyan cities. In it, the author synthesizes the findings of a conference on ‘Urban Displacement’ convened by the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s African Migration Hub in Nairobi on August 28th 2023. Surveying a wide range of literature and legal cases brought by civil society on behalf of displaced communities, Development-induced Displacement in Kenyan Cities provides new and original policy recommendations on how to improve migration and displacement governance at the local, national, and international level.
This analysis reviews and identifies gaps within the existing legal and policy frameworks related to internally displaced persons (IDPs) using an approach based on human security. It provides recommendations on the protection of these groups from attacks, pervasive human rights abuses and re-displacement, thereby contributing to the consolidation of a durable solution based on proactive policies and a new legal framework.
