Refugee-Host Relationships in a Heightened Ethnic Politics: the Case of South Sudanese Refugees in Gambella Region, Ethiopia.
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Date
2025-01-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Due to conflict, political instability, and drought, millions of people migrated from one place
to another globally seeking asylum and living as refugees. This increase in refugee
populations has brought social and political tensions in many refugee-hosting countries.
This study examined refugee-host relationships in Gambella regional state of Ethiopia in the
context of heightened ethnic politics. The study considered two refugee camps: Kule and
Piyudo-1 and their surrounding communities. The study used ethnographic research with a
qualitative approach. Through purposive sampling of informants, the study employed
qualitative data collection instruments such as interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs),
and life histories. The collected data were analyzed, interpreted, and presented using
thematic analysis by creating main themes and sub-themes under the broader themes derived
from the study‟s objectives and emerging data. Thus, the study findings reveal that economic
interactions between refugees and host communities occur in job markets, labor sectors,
marketplaces, and financial services. Intermarriage between refugees and host communities
was common primarily among the same ethnic groups. Likewise, both groups share religious
practices, and access to basic services such as safe water, schools, and health centers, except
in cases of conflict. Where the refugees and the host share ethnic backgrounds, their
relationships are smooth and harmonious. However, conflicts are common where they belong
to different ethnic groups; making ethnicity defines most interactions regardless of the
people‟s status (refugee or host). The study also highlights a difference between the two
major ethnic groups in Gambella over refugee local integration. While Nuer hosts welcome
refugees‟ local integration, the Agnwa strongly rejects it, which badly affects the government
policies on refugees‟ local integration. Overall, ethnic identity played a critical role in
shaping refugee-host relationships in Gambella. Based on these findings, it is strongly
recommended that refugees view their hosts not through the lens of ethnic background but as
fellow locals. Host communities should extend their support to refugees, recognize their
vulnerability, and avoid viewing them from the existing ethnic politics. Considering local
realities when implementing refugees‟ local integration is also better. Besides, the
government should also prioritize maintaining regional peace and stability.
Key words: Refugee-host relationship, local integration, ethnicity, ethnic politics.
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Keywords
Refugee-host relationship, local integration, ethnicity, ethnic politics.