Migration securitization in SADC: Assessing its impact on the free movement of people and regional economic integration agenda
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Date
2024
Authors
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
This exploratory study looks at migration and securitization in SADC. More
specifically, the study assesses the impact that migration and securitization have on
the free movement of people and on regional economic integration agenda of SADC.
The study uses the securitization theory espoused by Buzan and Wæver in order to
assess the how the securitization of migration affects freedom of movement and
regional integration within the SADC region. The theory argues that political issues
are defined as security issues that need to be dealt with urgently when they have been
labelled as ‘dangerous’, ‘threatening’ and ‘alarming’ by a securitising actor, that holds
social and institutional power to move the issue beyond politics. Further the theory
argues that security issues are not simply out in the air, rather they have to be
articulated as problems by securitising actors. The study draws upon qualitative data
like documentary analyses, books, journals and semi-structured interviews.
The Study also sought to assess the impact of the securitization of Migration in SADC
on the free movement of people and regional economic integration agenda. The study
found that the impact of the securitization of migration, provides SADC governments
with the ability to restrict entry of foreign nationals into their job markets, business
sectors and social spaces. More-so the study also found that the migration
securitization may hinder the ability of ordinary people who are not in big business
from fully participating and being full beneficiaries of the African Continental Free
Trade Area (AfCFTA). The study further found that it has been witnessed that where
circular migration or multiple migration is restricted, in Southern Africa, there is an
impact on trade. The study also found that the overemphasis on formal channels of
trade affects informal trade which is seen to be influential in the functioning of
regional economies. Cross border traders are seen as key contributors to the overall
economy of the region, henceforth the migration securitization continues to hinder
productive integration of cross border trading, which further affects regional economic
development. In relation to SADC developing a migration policy that is more human
centric than state centric, the study found that, the lack of coherence between regional
and national migration policies has created a huge gap between regional legislative
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framework and national legislative framework. The study further pointed that, SADC
needs to formulate and implement a regional migration policy framework, that is
aligned to that of the African Union’s Protocol on Free Movement of Persons which
is seen to be more human centred. Further the study pointed out that the formulation
of the migration policy framework must crafted and implemented through wide
consultations with civil society and local communities and lastly should protect the
freedom of movement of migrants within and from host countries. More-so, the
findings also found that there is a need for ensuring freedom of movement of all
migrants including refugees and asylum seekers without fear of arrest, detention or
deportation. In addition, the study also found that in creating a more human centric
migration policy, SADC member states need to work together to ensure creation and
protection of social security benefits of migrants and foreign nationals. In relation to
how labour migration in SADC contributes to economic development of host nations;
the study found that the South African mining industry has previously benefited
economically from migrants Lesotho, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. The
study also found that in a state where, there is a fertile ground for economic migrants,
labour migration will be key for economic development. More-over the study also
finds that despite the securitised nature of migration people will continue to move. The
study recommends that the region needs to implement a centralised border
management and information system, that will allow for increased data sharing,
increasing legal pathways
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of arts in political studies
Keywords
Migration, Securitization, Free movement, SADC, Regional economic integration