Abstract
The study examines the local integration of Somali and Eritrean refugees in Addis Ababa. It
is a comparative study of the host-refugees integration taking the case study of Eritreans and
Somali refugees. Qualitative research
methodology was employed and semi-structured interviews with refugees and host
communities, and key informant interviews with ARRA and local authorities were conducted.
In addition, FGDs with refugees and host communities of the study areas were held. The historical and
ongoing relations between Ethiopia and the refugee producing countries, as structural factor,
impacted not only the country’s policy direction towards the refugees’ but also the refugees’
and the hosts’ perception towards local integration. The study revealed that Somali refugees
are more integrated with the host communities than Eritrean refugee in the respective areas
despite the cultural compatibility of the latter because of the interplay of structural, refugee
and host community related factors. The prolonged settlement and engagement of Somali
refugees in both formal and informal economy in the area resulted in the refugees’
progressive integration with the host communities by dwindling prior mutual mistrust and
misperceptions. However, the securitization of Somali refugees in the area by interlinking
them with the insecurity and terrorism in their country has been obstructing the intensive
integration by creating fear among the refugees and the host communities. On the other
hand, the Eritrean refugees perceive the especial treatment provided for them as politically
motivated and temporary. Consideration of Ethiopia as country of transit and the subseque
is a comparative study of the host-refugees integration taking the case study of Eritreans and
Somali refugees. Qualitative research
methodology was employed and semi-structured interviews with refugees and host
communities, and key informant interviews with ARRA and local authorities were conducted.
In addition, FGDs with refugees and host communities of the study areas were held. The historical and
ongoing relations between Ethiopia and the refugee producing countries, as structural factor,
impacted not only the country’s policy direction towards the refugees’ but also the refugees’
and the hosts’ perception towards local integration. The study revealed that Somali refugees
are more integrated with the host communities than Eritrean refugee in the respective areas
despite the cultural compatibility of the latter because of the interplay of structural, refugee
and host community related factors. The prolonged settlement and engagement of Somali
refugees in both formal and informal economy in the area resulted in the refugees’
progressive integration with the host communities by dwindling prior mutual mistrust and
misperceptions. However, the securitization of Somali refugees in the area by interlinking
them with the insecurity and terrorism in their country has been obstructing the intensive
integration by creating fear among the refugees and the host communities. On the other
hand, the Eritrean refugees perceive the especial treatment provided for them as politically
motivated and temporary. Consideration of Ethiopia as country of transit and the subseque
| Originalsprache | Englisch |
|---|---|
| Gradverleihende Hochschule |
|
| Publikationsstatus | Veröffentlicht - 2017 |