Forced Migration in the OIC Member Countries:
Policy Framework Adopted by Host Countries
44
For both Somalis and Eritreans, the distinct circumstances of their forced migration have
limited their options for return. This distinguishes their plight even from those of neighboring
Ethiopia. While Ethiopians tend to migrate for similar reasons of drought, youth
unemployment, and lack of political freedoms, they often only leave for a few years to earn
and save money before returning home.145
With few prospects for return, a desire to move onwards: The four major routes
Most forced migrants from the Horn of Africa remain in the immediate vicinity of their country
of origin, with large numbers of refugees residing in camps in Kenya and Ethiopia.146 Some
forced migrants though choose to move onwards towards Europe, South Africa, or countries in
North Africa (such as Libya and Egypt) in search of protection and better livelihood
opportunities. Eritreans have been particularly inclined to travel onwards, with many young,
single males and unaccompanied minors from the country travelling towards Europe.147 The
major routes of migration originating from the Horn of Africa with destinations outside the
region follow four paths concurrent with the cardinal directions: a northern, western, eastern,
and southern route.
The northern route leads from various origin countries, mostly Eritrea and Somalia, through
Sudan to Egypt. This route was often used to travel through the Sinai Peninsula into Israel, but
has dropped in popularity since Israel sealed off its border with Egypt.148 Of those who move
on, some head through Alexandria or other northern Egyptian and Libyan coastal cities to
board boats for Italy.149 The western route takes a similar trajectory, but instead of travelling
through Egypt moves directly through Sudan or South Sudan into Libya.150 Migrants have
provided a lucrative business for smugglers and are targets for underutilized militia groups in
Libya and criminal gangs in Sudan, plaguing the route with danger.151
The eastern route is complex as it has recently come to include flows in both directions due to
the civil unrest in Yemen. Traditionally along this route, large numbers of Somali and
Ethiopian migrants have crossed the Gulf of Aden or Red Sea to reach Yemen, often with the
goal of reaching Saudi Arabia or other Gulf countries to work.152 These numbers have
continued despite conflict between Yemeni government forces and rebel groups, resulting in a
power vacuum and diminished rule of law.153 In 2015, the number of migrants arriving in
145 IRIN News, “Cautionary migration tales are no deterrent,” November 22, 2011,
Josh Wood, “Ethiopian
migrants brave Yemen war for dream of Saudi jobs,” The National, May 30, 2015,
146 As of 2015, Ethiopia is host to 736,086 refugees and Kenya is host to 553,912 refugees. UNHCR, Global Trends: Forced
Displacement in 2015.
147 In 2015 5,450 unaccompanied minors arrived in the EU from Eritrea, the third-largest number following Afghanistan and
Syria. Eurostat, “Asylum applicants considered to be unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex Annual data
(rounded) [migr_asyunaa],” updated May 6, 2016, ;
Horwood and Hooper, Protection on the Move, 9.
148 Horwood and Hooper, Protection on the Move, 7.
149 Malakooti, Migration Trends Across the Mediterranean: Connecting the Dots, 85.
150 Horwood and Hooper, Protection on the Move, 7.
151 Ibid; Mogos O Brhane, “Understanding why Eritreans go to Europe,” Forced Migration Review, no. 51 (2016): 34-35,
152 Ethiopians tend to be more likely to move onward from Yemen, as they are rarely recognized as refugees by Yemeni
authorities and therefore decide to take their chances to work informally in Yemen or Saudi Arabia. Somalis are more
content to stay in Yemen as they are granted prima facie refugee status there. RMMS, “Djibouti,” updated July 2016,
RMMS, “Kenya,” updated April 2016,
153 While migrants’ decision-making processes vary, these continued flows to Yemen (and Libya) show that instability and
conflict does not deter migrants or smugglers from travelling through dangerous areas. Some migrants report that they