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Uluslararası Göç ve Afrika Birliği: Afrika’da Göç Dinamikleri ve Zorluklar

Year 2025, Volume: 27 Issue: 2, 244 - 265, 30.12.2025
https://doi.org/10.54627/gcd.1772982

Abstract

Bu çalışma; Afrika’daki uluslararası göçün farklılaşan dinamiklerini incelemeyi ve Afrika Birliği’nin (AB) bu göç akımlarını yönetme sürecinde karşılaştığı kurumsal ve politik zorlukları değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Konunun seçilme nedeni; göçün kıta genelinde siyasi, sosyal ve ekonomik dönüşümlerin önemli bir belirleyicisi hâline gelmesi ve aynı zamanda Afrika’nın bölgesel entegrasyon gündemini şekillendirmesidir. Araştırma problemi; düzensiz göç, zorunlu yer değiştirme ve sınır ötesi hareketlilik karşısında Afrika Birliği’nin etkili göç yönetim stratejilerini geliştirmekte yeterli kurumsal kapasiteye sahip olup olmadığıdır. Yöntem olarak Afrika Birliği’nin politika çerçevelerine yönelik karşılaştırmalı analiz yapılmış, ayrıca güncel göç raporları ve akademik çalışmaların verileri incelenmiştir. Bulgular; göçün kurumsal parçalanma ve uyumlu politika eksikliği gibi yapısal sorunlar doğurmasına rağmen bölgesel iş birliği, emek hareketliliği ve sosyo-ekonomik gelişim için fırsatlar sunduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışmanın sonucunda, etkili göç yönetişiminin Afrika Birliği’nin entegrasyon hedeflerini ilerletmede kritik olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Bu araştırmanın alan yazınına özgün katkısı; göçü hem bir sorun hem de bölgesel entegrasyon için potansiyel bir katalizör olarak ele alarak uluslararası göç ve Afrika yönetişimi alanında yapılan çalışmalara yeni bir bakış açısı sunmasıdır.

References

  • Achiume, E.T. (2014). Beyond prejudice: Structural xenophobic discrimination against refugees. Georgetown Journal of International Law. 45 (3).
  • Achiume, E.T. & Landau, L.B. (2015). The African Union migration and regional integration framework. ACCORD. Policy & Practice Brief.
  • Adepoju, A. (2018). Migration in the Context of Regional Economic Communities and Regional Integration in Africa. in Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador (ed.), Challenges of human mobility, LÍNEASUR 14: Foreign Policy Journal. pp. 95-110.
  • Adepoju, A., Naerssen, T. Van. & Zoomers, A. (2008). International migration and national development in Sub-Saharan Africa : viewpoints and policy initiatives in the countries of origin. Brill: Leiden.
  • Addadzi-Koom, M. E. (2023). Breathing life into the kampala convention: towards workable enforcement mechanisms. Journal of African Law, 67(3), 329–347. doi:10.1017/S0021855323000219
  • African Development Bank (AfDB). (2011). Leveraging human capacity and financing from the diaspora: Which migration policies for Africa in the 21st century? Africa Capacity Development Brief. Vol 1, Issue 1. Abidjan: African Development Bank.
  • African Union. (2018a). Implementation roadmap for the draft protocol to the treaty establishing the african economic community relating to free movement of persons, right of residence and right of establishment (pp. 6–16). Addis Ababa.
  • African Union. (2018b). Migration policy framework for africa and plan of action (2018– 2030). Addis Ababa: African Union Commission.
  • African Union. (2006). Afrıcan Common Posıtıon On Mıgratıon. Executıve Councıl Ninth Ordinary. Gambıa.
  • African Union Commission (AUC). (2017). Evaluation of the African Unionmigration policy framework for Africa. Addis Ababa: AUC.
  • Angenendt, S. & Koch, A. (2017). Global migration governance. SWP-Studie. Berlin: SWP.
  • AU Meeting. (2006). African common position on migration and development. Gambia: Banjul.
  • AU, ILO, IOM & UN ECA. (2020). Priority implementation actions of the AU-ILO- IOM-ECA Joint Programme on Labour Migration Governance for Development and Integration in Africa: JLMP-priority project. Independent joint mid-term evaluation report.
  • Bertossi, E., Elouassif, N., & Tardis, M. (2021). While migration from africa is the priority of european policies... IFri. Retrieved from https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/ files/migrated_files/documents/atoms/files/bertossi_elouassif_tardis_africanunion_ migrations_2021.pdf
  • de Haas, M. & Frankema, E. (2025). The age of intra-African migration: shifting patterns of regional mobility between two global diasporas, 1850–1960, Comparative Migration Studies, 13 (32). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40878-025-00448-w
  • Dick, E. & Schraven, B. (2018). Regional migration governance in Africa and beyond: A framework of analysis. Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik gGmbH. Discussion Paper. DOI:10.23661/dp9.2018
  • Dinbabo, M.F. & Carciotto, S. (2015). International migration in Sub-Saharan Africa: a call for a global research agenda. AHMR. Vol.1 No.2.
  • European Union (EU), (2020). Intra-African migration. Policy Department for External Relations. Study.
  • Farrant, M., Macdonald, A. & Sriskandarajah, D. (2006). Migration and development: Opportunities and challenges for policymakers. IOM Migration Research Series. No. 22. Geneva: IOM.
  • Flahaux, M. & Haas, H. D. (2016). African migration: trends, patterns, drivers. Comparative Migration Studies: A Springer Open Journal. Vol. 4, no. 1: 1-25. DOI 10.1186/s40878- 015-0015-6.
  • Gebresellasie, Y. (1993). International migration in africa: an overview. Refuge. V. 12, No. 8.
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  • International Organization for Migration (IOM). (2019). International migration law: Glossary on migration. N.34. IOM. Geneva.
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  • Jones, R. (1983). A population geography. New York: Harper and Row Publishers.
  • Knoll, A. & de Weijer, F. (2016). Understanding African and European perspectives on migration: Towards a better partnership for regional migration governance? (ECDPM Discussion Paper 203). Retrieved from http://ecdpm.org/publications/understanding- african-european-perspectives-migration/
  • Kufakurinani, U., Pasura, D. & McGregor, J. (2014). Transnational parenting and the emergence of “diaspora orphans” in Zimbabwe. African Diaspora. 7: 114–138.
  • Lavenex, S., Flavia, J., Terri, E., & Buchanan, R. (2016). Regional migration governance. In T.A. Börzel & T. Risse (Eds.), Oxford handbook of comparative regionalism. pp. 457-485. Oxford University Press.
  • Lucas, R. E. B. (2015). African migration. in Barry R. Chiswick & Paul W. Miller (eds.) The Handbook on the Economics of International Migration. Elsevier, pp. 1445-1596.
  • Manga Edimo, R.M. (2020). The African Union’s governance of ırregular migration: framed policies, deconstructed meanings and states’ actions. IPPA.
  • Manga, M. (2023). The African Union’s policy capacity in the governance of African irregular migration. APSA Preprints.
  • Mazzitelli, A. L. (2007). Transnational organized crime in west africa: the additional challenge. International Affairs (Royal Institute of International Affairs 1944-), vol. 83, no. 6: 1071-1090.
  • Mudungwe, P. (2014). Migration and development in the SADC region: The case of a coherent approach. African Diaspora Policy Center. Research Brief No. 2016/02. The Hague.
  • Mudungwe, P. (2025). Migration governance in africa: challenges and opportunities. African Human Mobility Review, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.14426/ahmr.v11i1.2654
  • New South Institute. (2023). Framing a study of african migration governance reform.
  • Ngunyi, M. & Oucho, J. (2013). Migration and human security in the East and Southern Africa Region: The state of play on mechanisms and gaps. Migration Knowledge Series, Vol. 1. Djibouti: IGAD.
  • Nita, S. (2013). Regional Migration Governance: A Comparative View. UNRISD. OAU Refugee Convention. (1969). Convention governing the specific aspects of refugee problems in africa. AU.
  • Ogaden, P. (1984). Migration and geographical change. England: Cambridge University Press.
  • Sachs J. & Larrain, F. (1993). Macroeconomics in the global economy. 1st ed. Prentice Hall.
  • Sima, W. (2024). Tackling brain drain through laws and good governance to support economic development. Wallaga University Journal of Law. 2(1): 71–83.
  • Smith, L. (1948). Population analysis. New York: McGraw Hill Publication Ind.
  • Thompson, J. (2025). Foreign overfishing in Senegal fuels migration to Spain, a report finds. AP News. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/migration-fishing-eu- spain-senegal-illegal-856720abdd7a6b612c3330b349997156 (Accessed: 18 August 2025).
  • Tsegay, S. M. (2023). International Migration: Definition, Causes and Effects. Genealogy, 7(3), 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy7030061
  • UN. (2005). Africa needs 1 million health workers. Africa Renewal. 18(4): 4.
  • UN Academic Impact. (2024). Migration dynamics, refugees and ınternally displaced persons in africa. https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/migration-dynamics- refugees-and-internally-displaced-persons-africa (Accessed: 18 August 2025).
  • UNCTAD. (2020). Assessing the dynamics between migration and development in africa. https://unctad.org/meeting/assessing-dynamics-between-migration-and-development- africa (Accessed: 18 August 2025).
  • UNHCR. (2011). Statistical yearbook, 2010. Geneva: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
  • UNHCR. (2019). 2009 Kampala convention on IDPs. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr. org/sites/default/files/legacy-pdf/5cd569877.pdf
  • Urso, G. & Hakami, A. (2018). Regional migration governance in africa: AU and RECs. Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2760/338319
  • Weldemariam, L.F., Ayanlade, A., Borderon, M. & Möslinger, K. (2023). Dynamics and factors influencing return migration to Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Heliyon. 9 (2023) e18791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18791
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International Migration and the African Union: Migration Dynamics and Challenges in Africa

Year 2025, Volume: 27 Issue: 2, 244 - 265, 30.12.2025
https://doi.org/10.54627/gcd.1772982

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the differentiated dynamics of international migration within Africa and to evaluate the institutional and policy challenges faced by the African Union (AU) in managing these flows. The selection of this topic is grounded in the increasing significance of migration as a driver of political, social, and economic transformations across the continent, as well as its role in shaping Africa’s regional integration agenda. The research problem centers on the AU’s limited institutional capacity to formulate effective migration governance strategies in the face of growing irregular migration, forced displacement, and cross-border mobility. Methodologically, the study relies on a comparative analysis of AU policy frameworks, complemented by data from recent migration reports and academic studies. Findings indicate that while migration presents structural challenges, such as institutional fragmentation and lack of harmonized policies, it also provides opportunities for fostering regional cooperation, labor mobility, and socio-economic development. The study concludes that strengthening migration governance is essential for advancing the AU’s integration objectives. The originality of this study lies in its focus on the dual character of migration, presented both as a challenge and a potential catalyst for regional integration, thus offering a nuanced contribution to the existing literature on African governance and international migration.

References

  • Achiume, E.T. (2014). Beyond prejudice: Structural xenophobic discrimination against refugees. Georgetown Journal of International Law. 45 (3).
  • Achiume, E.T. & Landau, L.B. (2015). The African Union migration and regional integration framework. ACCORD. Policy & Practice Brief.
  • Adepoju, A. (2018). Migration in the Context of Regional Economic Communities and Regional Integration in Africa. in Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador (ed.), Challenges of human mobility, LÍNEASUR 14: Foreign Policy Journal. pp. 95-110.
  • Adepoju, A., Naerssen, T. Van. & Zoomers, A. (2008). International migration and national development in Sub-Saharan Africa : viewpoints and policy initiatives in the countries of origin. Brill: Leiden.
  • Addadzi-Koom, M. E. (2023). Breathing life into the kampala convention: towards workable enforcement mechanisms. Journal of African Law, 67(3), 329–347. doi:10.1017/S0021855323000219
  • African Development Bank (AfDB). (2011). Leveraging human capacity and financing from the diaspora: Which migration policies for Africa in the 21st century? Africa Capacity Development Brief. Vol 1, Issue 1. Abidjan: African Development Bank.
  • African Union. (2018a). Implementation roadmap for the draft protocol to the treaty establishing the african economic community relating to free movement of persons, right of residence and right of establishment (pp. 6–16). Addis Ababa.
  • African Union. (2018b). Migration policy framework for africa and plan of action (2018– 2030). Addis Ababa: African Union Commission.
  • African Union. (2006). Afrıcan Common Posıtıon On Mıgratıon. Executıve Councıl Ninth Ordinary. Gambıa.
  • African Union Commission (AUC). (2017). Evaluation of the African Unionmigration policy framework for Africa. Addis Ababa: AUC.
  • Angenendt, S. & Koch, A. (2017). Global migration governance. SWP-Studie. Berlin: SWP.
  • AU Meeting. (2006). African common position on migration and development. Gambia: Banjul.
  • AU, ILO, IOM & UN ECA. (2020). Priority implementation actions of the AU-ILO- IOM-ECA Joint Programme on Labour Migration Governance for Development and Integration in Africa: JLMP-priority project. Independent joint mid-term evaluation report.
  • Bertossi, E., Elouassif, N., & Tardis, M. (2021). While migration from africa is the priority of european policies... IFri. Retrieved from https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/ files/migrated_files/documents/atoms/files/bertossi_elouassif_tardis_africanunion_ migrations_2021.pdf
  • de Haas, M. & Frankema, E. (2025). The age of intra-African migration: shifting patterns of regional mobility between two global diasporas, 1850–1960, Comparative Migration Studies, 13 (32). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40878-025-00448-w
  • Dick, E. & Schraven, B. (2018). Regional migration governance in Africa and beyond: A framework of analysis. Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik gGmbH. Discussion Paper. DOI:10.23661/dp9.2018
  • Dinbabo, M.F. & Carciotto, S. (2015). International migration in Sub-Saharan Africa: a call for a global research agenda. AHMR. Vol.1 No.2.
  • European Union (EU), (2020). Intra-African migration. Policy Department for External Relations. Study.
  • Farrant, M., Macdonald, A. & Sriskandarajah, D. (2006). Migration and development: Opportunities and challenges for policymakers. IOM Migration Research Series. No. 22. Geneva: IOM.
  • Flahaux, M. & Haas, H. D. (2016). African migration: trends, patterns, drivers. Comparative Migration Studies: A Springer Open Journal. Vol. 4, no. 1: 1-25. DOI 10.1186/s40878- 015-0015-6.
  • Gebresellasie, Y. (1993). International migration in africa: an overview. Refuge. V. 12, No. 8.
  • Hartmann, C. (2016). Sub-Saharan Africa. In T. A. Börzel & T. Risse (Eds.). Oxford handbook of comparative regionalism. pp. 271-294. Oxford University Press.
  • International Organization for Migration (IOM). (2019). International migration law: Glossary on migration. N.34. IOM. Geneva.
  • International Organization for Migration (IOM). (2024). World Migration Report 2024. IOM. Geneva.
  • IOM. (2024). Africa migration report, Connecting the threads: Linking policy, practice and the welfare of the African migrant. Addis Ababa: IOM.
  • Jones, R. (1983). A population geography. New York: Harper and Row Publishers.
  • Knoll, A. & de Weijer, F. (2016). Understanding African and European perspectives on migration: Towards a better partnership for regional migration governance? (ECDPM Discussion Paper 203). Retrieved from http://ecdpm.org/publications/understanding- african-european-perspectives-migration/
  • Kufakurinani, U., Pasura, D. & McGregor, J. (2014). Transnational parenting and the emergence of “diaspora orphans” in Zimbabwe. African Diaspora. 7: 114–138.
  • Lavenex, S., Flavia, J., Terri, E., & Buchanan, R. (2016). Regional migration governance. In T.A. Börzel & T. Risse (Eds.), Oxford handbook of comparative regionalism. pp. 457-485. Oxford University Press.
  • Lucas, R. E. B. (2015). African migration. in Barry R. Chiswick & Paul W. Miller (eds.) The Handbook on the Economics of International Migration. Elsevier, pp. 1445-1596.
  • Manga Edimo, R.M. (2020). The African Union’s governance of ırregular migration: framed policies, deconstructed meanings and states’ actions. IPPA.
  • Manga, M. (2023). The African Union’s policy capacity in the governance of African irregular migration. APSA Preprints.
  • Mazzitelli, A. L. (2007). Transnational organized crime in west africa: the additional challenge. International Affairs (Royal Institute of International Affairs 1944-), vol. 83, no. 6: 1071-1090.
  • Mudungwe, P. (2014). Migration and development in the SADC region: The case of a coherent approach. African Diaspora Policy Center. Research Brief No. 2016/02. The Hague.
  • Mudungwe, P. (2025). Migration governance in africa: challenges and opportunities. African Human Mobility Review, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.14426/ahmr.v11i1.2654
  • New South Institute. (2023). Framing a study of african migration governance reform.
  • Ngunyi, M. & Oucho, J. (2013). Migration and human security in the East and Southern Africa Region: The state of play on mechanisms and gaps. Migration Knowledge Series, Vol. 1. Djibouti: IGAD.
  • Nita, S. (2013). Regional Migration Governance: A Comparative View. UNRISD. OAU Refugee Convention. (1969). Convention governing the specific aspects of refugee problems in africa. AU.
  • Ogaden, P. (1984). Migration and geographical change. England: Cambridge University Press.
  • Sachs J. & Larrain, F. (1993). Macroeconomics in the global economy. 1st ed. Prentice Hall.
  • Sima, W. (2024). Tackling brain drain through laws and good governance to support economic development. Wallaga University Journal of Law. 2(1): 71–83.
  • Smith, L. (1948). Population analysis. New York: McGraw Hill Publication Ind.
  • Thompson, J. (2025). Foreign overfishing in Senegal fuels migration to Spain, a report finds. AP News. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/migration-fishing-eu- spain-senegal-illegal-856720abdd7a6b612c3330b349997156 (Accessed: 18 August 2025).
  • Tsegay, S. M. (2023). International Migration: Definition, Causes and Effects. Genealogy, 7(3), 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy7030061
  • UN. (2005). Africa needs 1 million health workers. Africa Renewal. 18(4): 4.
  • UN Academic Impact. (2024). Migration dynamics, refugees and ınternally displaced persons in africa. https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/migration-dynamics- refugees-and-internally-displaced-persons-africa (Accessed: 18 August 2025).
  • UNCTAD. (2020). Assessing the dynamics between migration and development in africa. https://unctad.org/meeting/assessing-dynamics-between-migration-and-development- africa (Accessed: 18 August 2025).
  • UNHCR. (2011). Statistical yearbook, 2010. Geneva: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
  • UNHCR. (2019). 2009 Kampala convention on IDPs. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr. org/sites/default/files/legacy-pdf/5cd569877.pdf
  • Urso, G. & Hakami, A. (2018). Regional migration governance in africa: AU and RECs. Publications Office of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2760/338319
  • Weldemariam, L.F., Ayanlade, A., Borderon, M. & Möslinger, K. (2023). Dynamics and factors influencing return migration to Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Heliyon. 9 (2023) e18791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18791
  • World Bank. (2023). Migration and remittances data, 2023. Washington DC: World Bank.
There are 52 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects African Studies, International Migration
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Ahmet Hamdi Çakmak 0000-0003-4139-5056

Süleyman Dal 0000-0001-6918-0706

Submission Date August 28, 2025
Acceptance Date December 24, 2025
Publication Date December 30, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 27 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Çakmak, A. H., & Dal, S. (2025). International Migration and the African Union: Migration Dynamics and Challenges in Africa. Güvenlik Çalışmaları Dergisi, 27(2), 244-265. https://doi.org/10.54627/gcd.1772982