Geopolitical Dynamics and Forced Migration Policies in Ethiopia

This paper examines the intersection of geopolitical dynamics, in terms of contested international borders and proxy wars, with Ethiopia’s de facto forced migration policies. We provide an in-depth case study of Eritrean and South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia. We demonstrate that the relative ‘geopolitical value’ of different groups to the Ethiopian government has changed over the years and substantially impacted their treatment. This, we interpret to provide evidence for how geopolitical interests affect the meeting of legal responsibilities informed by international norms. In this way, the paper contributes to the understanding of how transformative geopolitical events interact with de facto refugee policy to shape the lived experiences of refugees, informing academic discourse and policymaking.

ISBN: 978-3-911716-19-2