Xenophobia and internal displacement in Africa : defining protection and assistance through the Kampala Convention

Abstract

Over the last decade, the issue of xenophobia has emerged as a pertinent concern in many parts of the African continent. While significant scholarly literature on the issue of xenophobia has notably considered the subject from various dimensions including human rights, an evident gap relates to situations of internal displacement. The aim of this article is to examine the issue of xenophobia from the perspective of internal displacement in Africa, with an examination of the experiences of South Africa and Kenya as examples. Discussion considers provisions for protection of persons internally displaced by xenophobia within the context of the Kampala Convention of the African Union (the Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa). The research points to the need for a more definitive statement by the African Union prohibiting xenophobia and resultant internal displacement.