“Reducing the Root Causes of Forced Displacement and Managing Migration in Southern Africa”
Johannesburg, 7 – 10 November 2023
1. Introduction
The long-term and increasing body of evidence on migration and movement shows that migration is largely linked to global economic, social, political, and technological changes. As globalization deepens, these transformations shape our lives in various ways. Increasing numbers of people can access information, goods, and services globally due to distance-shrinking technologies.
Amidst this period of great doubt, analysts question the solidity of the universal political order created post-war. This report focuses on developments in migration in the SADC region, considering past and current factors within broader long-term social, security, political, and economic contexts.
2. Background & Context
The 4th SAMIN Annual Policy Conference was held at ANEW Hotel Parktonian, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, from November 7-10, 2023. The symposium served as a platform for deliberation, knowledge exchange, and the pursuit of evidence-based solutions, aiming to foster a more inclusive and humane approach to migration within the SADC community.
The conference drew 56 participants from nine SADC countries, including Botswana, DRC, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Representatives from other regions, including Maghreb Sahel, West Africa, Ghana, and Europe, particularly the Netherlands, also attended. This diversity underscored the inclusive nature of the conference, featuring leaders from SADC governments, civil society, faith-based organizations, grassroots communities, traditional leaders, businesses, youth and women migrant representatives, academic institutions, and media representatives.
Against the backdrop of significant challenges in securing the rights and meeting the humanitarian and security needs of 8.9 million forcibly displaced individuals, including 1.1 million refugees and asylum seekers, the conference assumed heightened relevance. The theme, “Reducing the Root Causes of Forced Displacement and Managing Migration in Southern Africa,” underscored the pressing need for a multifaceted approach to address migration challenges in the region.
3. Key Themes and Discussions
The conference was structured around several key themes, each addressing critical aspects of migration and displacement in the region:
a. Root Causes of Forced Displacement:
- Political and economic instability, climate breakdown, environmental injustices, armed conflicts (e.g., the war in DR Congo), humanitarian and governance crises, persecution, human rights violations, and forced relocation.
- Climate change’s role in forced relocation leads to loss of livelihoods, rising poverty, increased hunger, and competition for resources.
- Economic downturns, particularly in Zimbabwe, driving both forced and regular migration.
b. Migration Management and Policy:
- Examining current policies and practices, highlighting best practices and areas needing improvement.
- Addressing the reluctance of several SADC countries to nationalize the SADC Regional Migration Policy Framework, which exacerbates existing policy shortcomings.
- Notable issues include insufficient documentation, compromises on child protection principles, and inadequate diplomatic protocols, particularly in cases of forced disappearances.
- The gap between policy and practice, especially concerning documentation, results in implementation difficulties and inconsistencies. While the free movement of goods is prioritized, there is a stark disparity in facilitating the free movement of people, exposing migrants to risks.
c. Human Rights and Protection:
- Emphasis on legal frameworks, access to services, and the role of civil society in advocating for migrants’ and refugees’ rights.
- Migrants face significant hurdles in accessing essential services due to a lack of documentation, leading to exploitation and abuse. Language barriers further hinder their ability to integrate and access services.
- Legal and social constraints, including bans on specific groups and unions, pose additional challenges, curbing freedom of association and mobility.
d. Regional Cooperation and Integration:
- Enhancing collaboration among SADC member states to address migration challenges collectively.
e. Data and Research:
- Improving data collection, analysis, and dissemination to support evidence-based decision-making.
f. Peacebuilding, Reconciliation, and Migration:
- Acknowledging the link between peacebuilding, reconciliation, and migration, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts from governments, CSOs, and international actors.
- Generating evidence-based research to unveil the complex networks supporting states engaged in atrocities, influencing migration governance, and promoting accountability.
- Inclusive peacebuilding requires regular conflict analysis and conflict-sensitive interventions, considering the mental well-being of peacebuilders and victims.
- Fostering harmony in communities receiving migrants is crucial for peace and reconciliation. Initiatives promoting social cohesion, tolerance, and understanding within host communities are essential.
- Holding violators of migrants’ rights accountable is imperative for justice and deterrence. Engaging traditional leaders as peacebuilders can help heal divisions and promote peaceful cohabitation.
g. Concrete Actions and Policy Recommendations:
- Comprehensive Migration Legal Framework: Establishing a SADC-controlled policing framework to monitor and address human rights violations of migrants’ rights.
- Addressing Statelessness: Affirming the Abidjan Declaration and advocating for policies to prevent statelessness.
- Refugee Integration: Shifting from refugee camps to integration processes that engage host communities.
- Human Rights Protection Mechanisms: Implementing peer review mechanisms and shadow reporting to assess and enhance the performance of governments in protecting the rights of migrants.
- Youth Participation: Ensuring the active participation and representation of youth migrants in SAMIN’s conferences and activities.
- Migrant and Refugee Response Fund: Establishing a collaborative fund by SADC to address social, humanitarian, and economic challenges related to migration.
- Official Accreditation of SAMIN: Advocating for SAMIN’s accreditation by SADC to ensure representation of migrant voices in regional frameworks.
4. Conclusion
The 4th SAMIN Annual Policy Conference provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions and develop actionable recommendations. By fostering regional cooperation, promoting human rights, and addressing the root causes of forced displacement, the conference aimed to contribute to a more inclusive and humane approach to migration in Southern Africa.
5. About SAMIN
The Southern Africa Migration Network (SAMIN) was founded in 2019. SAMIN is a collective of dedicated individuals and organizations, comprising Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Faith-based Organizations, academia, Refugee and Migrant Rights Organizations (MROs), human rights defenders, and activists. United by a common vision, SAMIN is committed to advocating for the rights of refugees and migrants in the Southern Africa region.
For further information or comments: secretariat@samin.org.za