Forced Migration in the OIC Member Countries:
Policy Framework Adopted by Host Countries
37
strong authority to impose control as reasons for fleeing.91 While open political violence may
serve as a catalyst for displacement, other structural factors such as economic insecurity and
the absence of rule of law continue to perpetuate insecurity that can also drive migration.
The “spillover” effect of conflict as a driver of forced migration
West African internal conflicts have often spilled across borders, precipitating new conflicts
and displacement in neighboring countries. For example, the Liberian Civil War of 1989 later
engulfed Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire in what has been termed a “merry-go-round
of violence.”92 Conflict originated in Liberia with an armed insurrection against the
government following years of economic mismanagement, corruption and political
repression.93 This violence spread as rebel combatants carried out attacks in Sierra Leone and
arms and mercenaries circulated through the region, resulting in an insurrection against the
Sierra Leonean government led by a former soldier who had been fighting in Liberia.94 In turn,
Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees seeking refuge in Cote d’Ivoire increased demographic
pressure in that country, exacerbating existing social tensions in the midst of an economic
crisis and ethno-political division.95 As these civil conflicts proliferated, Cote d’Ivoire
descended into civil war in 2002 and combatants from Liberia and Sierra Leone carried out
attacks against refugees in Guinea.96 Many refugees were forced to move onward towards
Mali, Ghana, and Burkina Faso in search of protection.97
More recently, a similar spillover effect has been created by conflict in Nigeria. Tensions
within Nigeria between the northern and southern regions have fueled the rise of Boko
Haram, a radical group.98 Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram have sought refuge in other parts of
Nigeria or in neighboring countries – with 138,300 in Niger, 61,000 in Cameroon and 14,100
in Chad.99 But the Nigerian government’s counterinsurgency efforts have caused Boko Haram
to resort to attacks in border regions of these neighboring states.100 As a result, refugees who
may have initially stayed close to the Nigerian border hoping for a quick return have been
forced to move deeper into the host countries in search of safety.101
91 Leo Dobbs, “Number of Malian refugees in Niger reaches new high,” UNHCR, updated November 10, 2015,
92 Jeff Drumtra, “West Africa’s Refugee Crisis Spills Across Many Borders,” Migration Information Source, August 1, 2003,
93 Peace Direct, “Liberia: Conflict Profile,” Insight on Conflict, accessed July 25, 2016,
94 Drumtra, “West Africa’s Refugee Crisis Spills Across Many Borders”; Lansana Gberie, “Bringing peace to West Africa:
Liberia and Sierra Leone,” (paper presented at the Africa Mediator’s Retreat, Zanzibar, Tanzania, 2007),
95 Aderanti Adepoju, “Migration in West Africa” (paper prepared for the Global Commission on International Migration,
Geneva, September 2005),
Marion
Fresia, “Forced Migration in West Africa,” in The Oxford Handbook of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, ed Elena Fiddian
Qasmiyeh, Gil Loescher, Katy Long and Nando Sigona (Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press, 2014), 544
96 Drumtra, “West Africa’s Refugee Crisis Spills Across Many Borders”
97 Adepoju, “Migration in West Africa” 12
98 Some view the rise of Boko Haram as a reaction to the north-south divide in Nigeria and ethno-religious differences, have
also been exacerbated by questions of government patronage. Andrew Walker, What is Boko Haram?, (Washington, DC:
United States Institute of Peace, June 2012)
99 Adrian Edwards, “UNHCR struggles to help tens of thousands newly displaced by Boko Haram in Niger,” updated January
19, 2016
100 Mark Doyle, “‘Even the hills couldn’t save us’ – Escape From Nigeria,” UNHCR, updated August 14, 2015,
101 Mark Doyle and Helene Caux, “Nigerian refugees move from volatile border zone in Cameroon,” updated July 21, 2015,