Reflecting on the importance of migration in an African context: A case for the ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families by African states
Posted: 19 June, 2023 Filed under: Jonette-Ann Matilda O. Greene, Waris Asmal | Tags: African history, civil war, conflict, economic collapse, employment, fundamental human rights, globalisation, governance failure, International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, legal entitlements, mass-migration, medical treatment, migrant workers Leave a comment
Author: Jonette-Ann Matilda O. Greene
Human Rights Advocate
Author: Waris Asmal
Intern, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Introduction: Migration in a pan-African context
In Southern Africa the ‘great shattering’ of the Nguni people that led to mass-migration in the form of the Mfecane in the 19th century teaches us that the free movement of peoples to escape conflict or disruptions to way of life, is an integral part of African history. Similarly, trends of mass migration in the 20th century in North Africa, be it from Libya or Sierra Leone during their civil wars or even mass migration in East Africa from Rwanda during the genocide demonstrate that migration of people away from centres of conflict to pursue a better life is a core part of African history.
AfricLaw 