The Growing Issues of Migration and Refugees in Africa: Threat to Regional Development

Abstract

The issues of migration and refugee phenomenon had remained critical and are at the centre of discuss vis-à-vis establishing enduring continental development. Africans see the idea of travelling out of the continent for greener pastures as a relief of the current economic hardship that pervades almost all parts of Africa. The foray has exposed many in the act to serious risk that involved all unimaginable consequences, including death. Looking at this ugly development critically, many factors could be adduced to the unabated growth of migration such as social, political, cultural, environmental, health, education and as well as transportation factor. This unbridled trends, has contributed to the emergence and rapid growth of refugees in the continent. This study tries to examine the relationship between Africa and the western world, colonialism, neocolonialism, globalization and Africa leaders as agents or puppets in the promotion of glo-domination of the continent by other developed world leaders. The paper x-rays the involvement of some players, such as the non-governmental organizations (N.G.Os), Africa Union and United Nation Organization vis-a-vis their roles in the global development and their contributions to the festering issues of migration and refugees in the continent. The paper uses secondary data to facilitate the understanding of the study. The paper recommends good policies formulation and implementation, leadership with abilities and capacities, transparency in governances, sustainable welfare packages, peaceful electoral transition process and patriotism on the part of Africa leaders among others as remedy to the menance of migration, refugees and displaced persons in Africa.