The limits of the UNHCR in Africa- the example of the Somalis in Kenya -

Miklós TÓTH

27 May 2010

Africa: 1960-2010-2060, Pécs

Some basic facts

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Kenya / Africa

- 373,889 refugees (February 2010)

- 82,7 % are Somalis

- constant growth

Why Kenya?

- considerable volume

- growing importance

- homogeneity

- phenomenons applicable to other refugee crises

Somali refugees in the region, 1998-2008

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100

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1998

2008

Somalis in Kenya

- two groups of Somalis- ‘Kenyan Somalis’- refugees

- Kenyan interests- isolation- reduction of negative effects

- main reasons- negative perceptions of Somalis- economic burden- political tension- security threat

- Kenyan policy- encampment- refugee rights?

Happy 60th birthday, UNHCR!How are you doing?

- the legal framework- 1951 UN Refugee Convention - 1967 UN Protocol- 1969 OAU Refugee Convention

- the mission- legal assistance- durable solutions

- repatriation- local integration- resettlement

+ material assistance

- limits and critiques- politicized- financial dependence- political-legal constraints inefficient

Durable solutions- are they really solutions? -

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2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

repatriation

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2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

resettlement

durable solution obstacles

local integration the negative attitude of Kenya towards the Somalis

repatriation ongoing civil war, famine

resettlement selective, insufficient

The actual practice: the fourth durable solution?

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Thank you for your

kind attention!