Durable solutions to migration challenges in East Africa and the Horn

The report analyzes mixed migration in East Africa and the Horn, identifying a complex interplay of political instability, state fragility, poverty, and climate change as primary drivers. It highlights the challenges of protracted refugee situations, particularly the restrictive nature of encampment policies, and contrasts the progressive refugee framework in Uganda with more restrictive regimes in neighboring states. The document argues for a shift from dependency to self-reliance, the harmonization of regional and international laws, and the integration of climate adaptation into migration policies to achieve durable solutions.

• Forced migration in the region is driven by a combination of political volatility, including politically instigated violence and ethnic clashes, as well as state fragility.
• Socio-economic factors, specifically poverty, underdevelopment, and the inability of states to provide basic public services, contribute significantly to forced migration.
• Climate change and environmental shocks, such as droughts, floods, and water scarcity, are triggering forced migration and threatening food security, particularly in the arid and semi-arid areas comprising 70% of the IGAD region.
• Corruption negatively impacts wealth creation and social service provision, and facilitates irregular migration through complicit security and immigration officials at borders.
• There is an increasing trend of 'brain drain' as skilled migrants leave the region for destinations in Europe, Asia, North America, and Southern Africa in search of better opportunities.
• Long-term encampment of refugees often hinders their development and self-reliance by restricting freedom of movement and access to economic opportunities.
• Uganda is identified as having one of the most progressive refugee policies in Africa, allowing refugees freedom of movement, the right to work, and access to national services.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the challenges of protecting refugees by causing funding shortfalls, restricting access to camps, and disrupting resettlement plans.
• The region's youth bulge, with youth comprising 70% of the population, presents both a potential labor force for economic growth and a driver of migration due to employment scarcity.

APA

Owino, J. (2021). Durable solutions to migration challenges in East Africa and the Horn. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ear-43v1.pdf

Chicago

Owino, James. Durable solutions to migration challenges in East Africa and the Horn. Institute for Security Studies, 2021. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ear-43v1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Owino |first1=James |title=Durable solutions to migration challenges in East Africa and the Horn |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=November 2021 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ear-43v1.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{owino2021durable, author = {Owino, James}, title = {{Durable solutions to migration challenges in East Africa and the Horn}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2021}, month = nov, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/ear-43v1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }