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AEGIS European Conference on African Studies
11 - 14 July 2007
African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Repeating the Refugee Cycle: History, Politics and Possibility of a Solcution
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35. Reconstruction, Reconciliation and Development in the African Great Lakes Region
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| Paper ID | 753 |
| Author(s) |
murison, jude
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| Paper |
No paper submitted
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| Abstract | Since the 1960s forced displacement of Rwandan refugees into exile has created problems for both the Rwandan government and its neighboring states. Between 1959 and 1994 there were a number of refugee waves out of Rwanda, who remained in exile until political change in the country enabled their return (this group is defined as the 'old case load' refugees). As the old case load returned in 1994, there was simultaneously an exodus of a new wave of refugees (classed as the 'new case load'). The majority of these have since returned to Rwanda, but there is also a sizable number that refuse to return to Rwanda due to insecurity and protection fears. This paper examines the continued refugee cycle of Rwanda.
The first section gives an overview of the historical situation, and identifies the internal and external factors that prevented a resolution. The second section considers the contemporary situation, and the impact that a continued degree of population in exile has for the long term economic and political development of Rwanda. The final section questions states and international organisations responsibilities for ensuring an end to the current problem, and argues that an implemented legal framework is needed to enforce the country of origins responsibility for ensuring an end to the continued refugee problem. |
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