Selected Socio-economic Implications Of The Long Presence Of Refugees And The United Nations

129 Pages·2016·4.23 MB·English

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
SELECTED SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OK THE LONG
PRESENCE OF REFUGEES AND THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH
COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES IN MOYO DISTRICT: 1986-2008 1
BY
iienry|niasiko N M
R50/71589/09
SUPERVISOR: DR KITLIURE KINDIKI
A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the
Masters in International Studies at the Institute of Diplomacy and
International Studies, University of Nairobi.
Vrmtwii of NAIROBI Utnary
mu ii iiiii i
0479132 3
DECLARATION
This thesis is my original work and has not been submitted for any
Award in any other University.
y
Signature. .... Date. ~ . $?. ?.
HENRY N MASIKO
university orM»'«PlllBP.^Y
|£AST AFRICAN.
W ■
This thesis has been submitted for examination with my permission as
University supervisor. Jl_____ _ S' fj
Signature.................^ d ! ~ M §
DR KITHURE KINDIKI
1
DEDICATION
I wish to dedicate this work to my dear family, my wife Hon Kabakumba
Masiko Abwooli and to all our children for the sacrifices made to sec me
comfortably complete the study.
11
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The accomplishment of this study has been a concerted effort of a
number of respectable persons, whose invaluable contribution I wish to
acknowledge. First and foremost, I wish to salute the wonderful and
committed leadership of the commandant Lt Gen J M Mutwii and his
entire team of the faculty members, for the motivation they provided to
enable me fully dedicate my time to complete this study on time. I am
grateful to my college SDS-Sponsor Maj Gen A M Rob for the hands on
guidance, that greatly inspired me.
I thank the entire fraternity of the professors and lectures of the
University of Nairobi, under the able stewardship of the Director of IDIS-
Prof Makumi Mwagiru, for their tireless contributions in equipping me
with the most contemporary theoretical tools of analysis, that were
handy in this study.
On this note, special mention of my very able and inspiring supervisor Dr
Kithure Kindiki, I will remain most indebted for the brilliant insights he
provided right form the inception of the study to the end. The support of
Dr Musambayi Katumanga, of the same university is sincerely
acknowledged, Dr Murindwa Rutanga from Makerere University for the
in-depth guidance, I am highly indebted to him. The support of fellow
participants of Course 12/2009 is fully appreciated.
Secondly, I am greatly indebted to the leadership of my country, namely
the President of the Republic of Uganda H.E Gen Yoweri Kaguta
Museveni and the Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda People Defence
Forces, Gen Aronda Nyakairiima, who offered me an opportunity to
attend the prestigious course at the National Defence College-2009.
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Last but not least is a lot of invaluable support I received throughout the
research period. The person’s acknowledged here below played a very
significant role in enabling me carryout the study successfully: Hon
Musa Ecweru - Minister of State for Refugees and Disaster Preparedness
of the Republic of Uganda; Mr David Kazungu - Deputy Commissioner in
Charge of Refugees; the entire team of Moyo District administration,
especially, the Resident District Commissioner Mr John Abingwa; the
District Chairperson Mr Peter Iku; the Deputy Chief Administrative
Officer Mr Samuel Tako; the Chief Economist Mr George Ereku, the
Environmental Officer Stephen Abu; the District Security Officer Moyo;
special gratitude to some special persons in Moyo for going out their way
to get me very useful primary data; Mr Rureremera Fred; Team Leader of
AKTION AFRIKA HILFE (AAH) and his entire team at Palorinya refugee
settlement; Mr Robson Manju, Mr Ratib Ibrahim Maawa, Ambassador
Phillipo Idro, Natal Molundrale of Danish Refugee Council.
I am very indebted to a special team of persons who helped me greatly in
sorting out the secretarial work and data arrangement, namely Ms Betty
Ikunyua of NDC, Hemy Ssensonga of UPDF, Mr Tony Owana of the
Nation Builder Magazine and Solomon Winyi who assisted me while in
Moyo.
I acknowledge the support of close friends and relatives who kept me
motivated throughout the study. Col Victor Twesigye with whom I
attended the course; relatives Joseph Ndarubweine, David Tumusiine,
Anthony Namara, Allan Atugonza Munaku, Kiiza Bicheteero, my old
parents, Mr & Mrs Ndarubweine and indeed a host of many well wishers
for the spiritual support.
IV
ABSTRACT
The long presence of refugees and the United Nations High Commission
for Refugees (UNHCR) in Moyo for more than twenty years has by all
means impacted significantly on the socio-economic fabric of both the
refugees and the Moyo society as a refugee hosting area. The
implications ranging from demographic, social services delivery,
production, political, cultural and regional security to a large extent
reflect a very dependent population with a mentality of a refugee
syndrome, that over a period has generated questions about the
relevancy of the current international refugee law. The initial philosophy
of international protection for refugees being a temporary-emergency
arrangement is not the case in Moyo. Refugee hood and operations of
the UNHCR have assumed permanency.
Theoretical discourses are rife about the whole notion of the presence of
refugees and UNHCR in different parts of the world. The solidarist
approaches have been advanced as the philosophical justifications for
refugees protection and the extremist strand of this school of thought
posits that the refugee concept should be widened to cover anybody
physically displaced, whether with in or outside the borders of the
country of origin.
The realists, who see loopholes in the current law, equally call for more
flexibility in allowing refugees right of asylum. However, beyond the two
schools of thought, this study argues that flexibility in offering refugee
status may be creating a dependency culture and a vicious cycle of
Refugeehood. There is need to rethink the whole concept of refugee hood
especially in Africa, in light of the apparent discrepancies in form of
profiteering relief agencies (lords of poverty); perpetual refugee life that is
creating a refugee economy without a state and the refugee syndrome
v
that has become a way of life threatening any attempts of voluntary
repatriation when time is ripe for refugees to go back to countries of
origin. One of the radical recommendations being made in this study is
for the international community to reconceive the international refugee
laws, with the view of redefining the roles and mandate of the UNHCR,
from that of direct protection in the refugee hosting countries, to a
coordinating role of international assistance and allowing the host states
to take care of the protection and delivery of refugee related programmes.
This way, it is argued, the endless phenomenon of refugee hood in Africa
may be reversed.
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ACORD Agency for Cooperation in Research Development
ADEO African Development Emergency Operation
AEF African Education Fund-Intern^fi'&MF'V’ or #•*,(*„,,,, lp
AICFACF - Action Internationale La Faim
DAR Development Assistance for Refugees
DRC Danish Refugee Council
IAS International Aid Sweden
ICARA II 2nd International Conference on Assistance to Refugees
in Africa
IRO International Refugee Organization
JAE Japanese African Education
JRS Jesuit Refugee Society
LWF Lutheran World Federation
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
NRC Norwegian Refugee Council
NRM National Resistance Movement
OAU Organization of African Unity
SPLA Sudan Peoples Liberation Army
SPLM Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement
SRS Self Reliance Strategy
TPO Trans-cultural Psycho-social Organization
vii
UN United Nations
-
UNHCR United Nations High Commission for Refugees
-
USA United States of America
-
WFP World Food Programme
-
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
^!Vrof f+y
Declaration i
Dedication ii
Acknowledgement iii
Abstract vi
Abbreviation viii
Table of Contents x
Chapter One • Introduction
Introduction 1
Background to the Problem 3
Statement of the Problem 4
Objective of the Study 6
Significance of the Study 6
Hypothesis 7
Conceptual Framework 7
Literature Review 12
Methodology 26
Chapter Outline 27
Chapter Two - The History and Background of the Presence of
Refugees and United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCRs) In Moyo District
Introduction 29
Background & History of the Presence
of Refugees in Moyo District 30
The Genesis of the UNHCR & History
of its presence in Moyo District 37
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