Europe: whither the fortress around the Mediterranean and Africa?, Dr. Christopher Nshimbi and Dr. Inocent Moyo
Dr. Christopher C. Nshimbi and Dr. Inocent Moyo
University of South Africa, South Africa
DOI: 10.47556/B.OUTLOOK2016.14.2
Purpose: This paper interrogates European Union (EU)-Africa relationships on international migration issues. Europe has long been branded a fortress against foreigners, despite enacting numerous legislations, policies and practices accommodating third country nationals. Recent media and humanitarian organisation reports of surging African and Middle Eastern refugees and migrants bring into sharp focus and test these immigration measures, as Europe searches for optimal solutions to the migration crisis.
Design/methodology/approach: The paper draws on the evolving field of border studies and attempts to frame the EU-Africa relations on migration in the context of the concepts, borders, boundaries and frontiers. A thorough review and critical analysis of relevant legislations, literature and media reports on the Africa-Europe migration interface is also conducted.
Findings: The militarisation, securitisation, restrictive and, sometimes, draconian immigration regimes do not provide sustainable solutions to the migration crisis facing Europe. A rethinking around the integration and inclusion of immigrants into Europe’s socioeconomic fabric, and addressing fundamental and structural weaknesses in EU-Africa relationships and respective economies is essential.
Originality/value: Theoretically, the paper attempts to understand better, the way the EU and Africa engage each other on international migration issues, in the context of border studies. Empirically, the paper positions itself in policy engagements and the quest for practical solutions by the two continents in view of the migration crisis currently facing Europe.
Keywords: Borders, Migration, Social Exclusion, Social Inclusion, EU-Africa Migration Interface, Fortress Europe.
