Improving Local Governance in Forced Migration: Case Studies From East Africa

Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya have a fast-growing urbanisation rate and are among the leading host countries of forcibly displaced people in sub-Saharan Africa. Prepared for the Cities Alliance Cities and Migration Programme, which is set up in cooperation with the Refugee Studies Centre of the University of Oxford, the 2022 report ‘Improving Local Governance in Forced Migration: Case Studies and Considerations from East Africa’ shows the context of local governance and responses to forced displacement and refugees.   

 Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya have a decentralised system and power is devolved; however, the countries have different governmental structures. Even though Ethiopia – with a federal government structure – is one of the top refugee-hosting countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the number of refugees living in urban areas is scarce. As of 2022, Ethiopia hosts over 823,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea. Internal displaced persons (IDPs) are residing in overcrowded collective shelters or open spaces.   

In contrast, Uganda has a central government system and hosted close to 1.5 million refugees in 2021 in different parts of the country. Uganda has a more open-door approach and is allowing refugees the right to work. Still most municipalities struggle to access the funding needed and the data regarding displaced people is also lacking.  Kenya, the third country case, is one of the top refugee-hosting countries in Africa. However, Kenya has a restrictive approach towards refugees and is denying refugees the right to work. Responses of local governments are often ad hoc or very limited.  

The recommendations suggested seek to improve the ability of successful local governance in addressing urban displacement on three levels: 

• National governments should invest in collecting data such as demographics of forcibly displaced people. Accessible information could help donors to allocate funding to cities.  Additionally, sub-bureaus of refugee affairs at the local level should be established.   

•    Local governments should increase registration centers for urban refugees and IDPs. Local governments should collaborate more with central governments to create more sub-offices for registration. Also, inclusive urban development projects, including forcibly displaced people as well as the urban poor should be promoted.   

•    International organisations and donors should invest in conducting field studies on urban forcibly displaced people to increase data on urban refugees and IDPs as well as increase collaboration with local governments for programme design and implementation.  

The report by Cities Alliance shows different approaches to forced displacement and refugees and highlights that local governance structures are key in addressing issues of displacement.

Click here to access the report.