The role of international law in addressing the root causes of the refugee crisis in Eastern Africa
Abstract
Eastern Africa is one of the biggest contributors and host of the refugee influx in the world. This influx is not new to the region; it has been happening for a long time. The 1970s saw an increase in the refugee crisis as it was a time of a lot of political insecurity especially on Uganda where people were forced to leave their homes. The causes of the refugee crisis in the region are diverse but the most common for a long time have always been conflicts and environment crises. The causes have forced a significant number of people to leave their homes in search for better conditions. Eastern African countries generally have refugee laws and policies on how to manage the influx of refugees thy come into their territories. Uganda is well known for having the friendliest approach towards refugees. This research therefore looks at the causes of the refugee crisis in Eastern Africa. It interrogates the international legal framework on refugees and the gaps therein, leading to the continued attempt to manage the influx addressing the causes. Furthermore, in chapter three it discusses the different principles of international law that can be used by both the international community and Eastern African countries to manage the cases of the refugee influx to ensure that people are not forced to migrate. It carries a conclusion and gives recommendations in chapter four; to both the international community and the Eastern African states.