Introduction to the AHMR Volume 8 Number 1 January - April 2022
The African Human Mobility Review (AHMR) is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed on-line journal created to encourage and facilitate the study of all aspects (socio-economic, political, legislative and developmental) of human mobility in Africa. Through the publication of original research, policy discussions and evidence-based research papers, the AHMR provides a comprehensive forum devoted exclusively to the analysis of contemporaneous trends, migration patterns and some of the most important migration-related issues. The journal is accessible on-line at no charge. AHMR is jointly owned by the Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa (SIHMA) and University of the Western Cape (UWC). [1]
This issue consists of a book review and four thought-provoking articles [2]. This is the first journal issue to include a book review, which deals with the importance of literature in the mobility research space. To get an idea of what the new AHMR volume includes, consider the following:
Book review- Expanding Boundaries: Borders, Mobilities and the Future of Europe–Africa Relations
This issue consists of a book review and four articles. The review was done by Professor Daniel Tevera of a book entitled “Expanding Boundaries: Borders, Mobilities and the Future of Europe–Africa Relations”, edited by Jussi P. Laine, Inocent Moyo and Christopher Changwe Nshimbe (2021). The reviewer made a critical and scholarly evaluation of the entire book. The reviewer concludes that this book is an important contribution to the literature on borders, mobilities and the future of Europe–Africa relations, even though a few chapters would have benefitted from a more in-depth discussion of the relevant issues. [3]
‘Metema became my Istanbul’ The Complex Transit Trajectories of Ethiopian Female Migrants
The first article by Meron Zeleke is entitled “The Complex Transit Trajectories of Ethiopian Female Migrants”. Using a qualitative method of research, which involved the collection and analysis of non-numerical data, the author explored opinions and experiences of the complex transit trajectories of Ethiopian female migrants. The author underlines the need of taking a diachronic approach when studying transit migration paths, given that the transit experience is not always tied to a certain location and time, as evidenced by the experiences of Ethiopian female migrants reported in this research. The findings of this study shed light on Ethiopian female migrants’ complex transit experiences in two different transit locations, as well as their agency in determining their mobility/ immobility, redefining their destinations and transit pathways, and settling, a theme that has escaped attention in prior works on female migration from Ethiopia. [4]
Citizenship, Belonging and Crisis-Induced Returns of Ghanaian Migrants from Côte d’Ivoire
The second article by Leander Kandilige, Thomas Yeboah and Theophilus Kwabena Abutima is entitled “Citizenship, Belonging and Crisis-Induced Returns of Ghanaian Migrants from Côte d’Ivoire”. The research employed a qualitative research design involving semi-structured interviews conducted with six categories of participants in Ghana and examines the experiences of returned Ghanaian migrants who were victimized and trapped in a conflict situation in Côte d’Ivoire in 2002–2003 and 2010–2011. Despite their passive role as perpetrators of violence, Ghanaian migrants were subjected to harassment, intimidation, and physical attacks, which contributed to painful feelings long after the crisis ended. Overall, this work makes a significant contribution to the literature on the vulnerabilities of migrants caught up in crisis situations, as well as policies and emergency actions to address migrants caught up in crisis situations. These findings have significant implications for emergency responses to migrant crisis situations. [5]
Migration and Politics in South Africa: Mainstreaming Anti-Immigrant Populist Discourse
The third article by Johannes Machinya is entitled “Migration and Politics in South Africa: Mainstreaming Anti-Immigrant Populist Discourse”. Methodologically, this paper is based on an analysis of selected political actors’ mediated performances like press statements, public speeches, interviews, or other statements posted on social media platforms like Twitter and YouTube, and how these politicians presented their messages with a conspicuous anti-immigrant populist appeal. The author examined several political players and conducted a critical discourse analysis in terms of anti-immigrant rhetoric, identifying crucial trends in how political actors mediated immigration discourse. This paper underscores that what feeds and bestows social legitimacy to xenophobia is the foregrounding of an anti-immigrant populist discourse in the mainstream political discourse with the participation of political leaders from across the political spectrum. In general, the paper provides an in-depth analysis of the status quo of the anti-immigrant populist political discourse being entrenched and normalized in the mainstream political discourse and highlights areas for improvement. [6]
Examining Nigeria’s Digital Identity Project as a Tool for Economic Inclusion and Regional Integration
The fourth article by Samson Olaoluwa Faboye is entitled “Examining Nigeria’s Digital Identity Project as a Tool for Economic Inclusion and Regional Integration”. A qualitative research methodology and secondary data analysis – mainly documentary reviews – were applied to explore the core themes of the topic. The study claims that African countries should invest in and develop their own digital database management infrastructure in order to reduce their reliance on the European Union (EU) and China. The outcomes of this study suggest that digital technology is pervasive in all aspects of human life and serves as a means of navigating the globalized digital world. [7]
Extracts taken from the Editorial
It is a great pleasure for SIHMA in collaboration with the University of the Western Cape to publish the peer reviewed African Human Mobility Review (AHMR) Journal. If you would like to receive the SIHMA newsletter and/or information on the most resent AHMR publication email admin@sihma.org.za or to access the AHMR publication visit https://sihma.org.za/journal-issues.
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If you are interested in contributing the SIHMA Blog on the Move please contact us at: https://www.sihma.org.za/contact or if you are interested writing an article to be reviewed and published in the African Human Mobility Review, please follow this link on making a submission: https://www.sihma.org.za/submit-an-article
References
- https://sihma.org.za/journal
- https://sihma.org.za/journal/ahmr-volume-8-number-1-jan-april-2022
- Expanding Boundaries: Borders, Mobilities and the Future of Europe–Africa Relations
- 'Metema became my Istanbul’ The Complex Transit Trajectories of Ethiopian Female Migrants
- Citizenship, Belonging and Crisis-Induced Returns of Ghanaian Migrants from Côte d’Ivoire
- Migration and Politics in South Africa: Mainstreaming Anti-Immigrant Populist Discourse
- Examining Nigeria’s Digital Identity Project as a Tool for Economic Inclusion and Regional Integration
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